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HARVARD 
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Volume XVII 



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PUBLISHED BY HARVARD UNIVERSITY 



... . THE 

BARRINGTON-BERNARD 
CORRESPONDENCE 

AND 

ILLUSTRATIVE MATTER 

1760-1770 

DRAWN FROM THE 

"PAPERS OF SIR FRANCIS BERNARD" 

(Sometime Governor of Massachusetts-Bay) 

EDITED BY 

EDWARD CHANNING Ph.D. 
Professor of History in Harvard University 

AND 

ARCHIBALD GARY COOLIDGE Ph.D. 

Professor of History and 
Director of the University Library 



CAMBRIDGE 

HARVARD UNIVERSITY 

London: HENRY FROWDE 

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 

1912 



'Zj'^7 



Copyright, 1913, 
By the President and Fellows of Harvard College. 



Norfaooli l^tiii 

J. 8. Gushing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 

Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



(0:J,A332105 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Introduction , . vii 

Barrington-Bernard Correspondence i 

Appendices : 

I. Letters, Official and Others 221 

II. Bernard's Petition for Increase of Salary . . 259 

III. "State of the Disorders" 264 

Index 303 



INTRODUCTION 

The letters printed in this volume are drawn from the col- 
lection of original documents and transcripts which Jared 
Sparks brought together in the course of his extended editorial 
career. For years he was Professor of American History in 
Harvard University and, for some time, was its President.^ 
In 1866, after his death, his papers were deposited in the 
Library of the University and later were given to it by his 
son, William Sparks. President Sparks made several journeys 
to England and was shown every courtesy by the descendants 
of Lord Shelburne and other prominent men of the Revolu- 
tionary era and by the government itself. He had volumes of 
transcripts made for him, and every now and then purchased 
original manuscripts. Among the latter are thirteen volumes, 
separately bound, and entitled *'The Papers of Sir Francis 
Bernard, Governor of New Jersey, and afterward Governor 
of Massachusetts." Of these thirteen volumes, eight comprise 
Bernard's original "Letter Books." The other five volumes 
are filled with letters received by him from his superiors and 
others in England, and also ofiicial papers, as commissions. 
Running through the whole set is a series of letters from 
Bernard to his wife's cousin-german, Lord Barrington, and the 
latter's replies. Their interest consists in the fact that they are 
friendly and confidential epistles and not official letters, 
although they were written by two of the most highly placed 
government officers in England and in America. 

1 See Herbert B. Adams' Life and Writings of Jared Sparks, comprising 
selections from his Journals and Correspondence (2 vols., Boston, 1893). 



viii INTRODUCTION 

Lord Barrington was the son of John Shute, first Baron 
Barrington, of Newcastle in the county of Dublin and Viscount 
Barrington of Ardglass in the county of Down, both in Ireland. 
The father was one of those fortunate Enghshmen, or Irish- 
men, of that time who unexpectedly inherited money. The 
first windfall came at the death of Mr. Francis Barrington, who 
had married John Shute's first cousin; the second was a 
bequest from John Wildman of Becket, in the English county 
of Berks, who was not related to him in any way. John Shute's 
eldest son was born in January, 171 7, and was appropriately 
named William Wildman.^ In 1734 he succeeded to the title 
of Viscount Barrington, and six years later entered the British 
House of Commons as member for Berwick. In 1745, being 
then twenty-eight years of age, he was appointed one of the 
Lords of the Admiralty. From that time to the day of his 
death he was in receipt of an income from the British treasury. 
In 1753, he was appointed Master of the Great Wardrobe. 
Two years later, in 1755, he was transferred to the War Office 
as Secretary at War. At that time, the holder of this office 
was practically the confidential clerk of the commander-in- 
chief. Barrington greatly extended its dignity and usefulness, 
and, by his firmness and kindly finesse, powerfully contributed 
to William Pitt's successful carrying on of the war with the 
Bourbon powers. In 1761, Newcastle caused Barrington to 
be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, against the latter's 
wishes. In the administration of Lord Bute, he held the lucra- 
tive position of Treasurer of the Navy. In 1765, at the 
express wish of the king, Barrington again became Secretary at 
War. He held that post through all changes in adminis- 
tration until December, 1778, when he resigned. He was 

^ His brothers were Major General John Barrington, Samuel Barrington, 
Admiral of the White, and Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham. 



INTRODUCTION ix 

given a pension of two thousand pounds a year, which he en- 
joyed together with the income of a sinecure ofl5ce, until his 
death on February i, 1793. For thirty- three years, from 1745 
to 1778, this most successful of placemen fed at the public crib. 
Ministries might come and go: Henry Pelham, the Duke of 
Newcastle, the Duke of Devonshire, WilKam Pitt, Lord Bute, 
George Grenville, the Marquess of Rockingham, the Duke of 
Grafton, and Lord North with their followers went in and out of 
office ; but Lord Barrington, whose only principle was devo- 
tion to his royal patrons, held on. 

So fortunate an office-seeker as Lord Barrington was fiercely 
attacked by those who were not so successful as he. His 
letters show that he was no ordinary placeman, but one who 
had his own ideas as to the proprieties. His position was one 
of great difficulty during the American war, for he had no voice 
in determining the policy of the government or the plans of 
campaigns. From 1775 onwards, at least twice yearly he sought 
relief from a position that had become well-nigh intolerable 
after the appointment of Lord George Germain to the colonial 
secretaryship. On one occasion, he thus stated his thoughts 
to the king : — 

"I have, . . . my own opinions, in respect to the disputes 
with America : I give them, such as they are, to Ministers in 
conversation or in writing ; I am summoned to meetings, where 
I sometimes think it my duty to declare them openly, before 
perhaps twenty or thirty persons ; and the next day, I am 
forced either to vote contrary to them, or to vote with an 
Opposition which I abhor. I know the use and necessity of 
practicability ; but it may be carried too far. Your Majesty 
has condescended to be my patron; I will have no other: be 
pleased to determine forme, how as a man of honour, conscience, 
and feeling, I am to act." ^ 

' Shute Barrington's Political Life of William Wildman, Viscount Barrington, 
165. 



X INTRODUCTION 

Barrington disapproved of the American war, or, at any 
rate, of the way in which it was carried on. The following 
letters reflect the soundness of his judgment so well that they 
have been deemed worthy of reproduction in this place, al- 
though they were written after the close of Francis Bernard's 
term of office as Governor of Massachusetts Bay. 

To the Earl of Dartmouth, November 12, 17^4 

"In the present state of the Colony of Massachusets, I 
presume it is not an improbable supposition, that no magis- 
trates will be found, who will assist with their authority in 
executing the laws made by the Parliament of Great Britain : 
while this situation continues, the riotous mobs, directed by the 
factious leaders of that country, must govern it; and they 
cannot be quelled, or even resisted by the army, which must 
therefore remain in a disgraceful inaction ; enriching with its 
pay a delinquent Colony, and in continual hazard of insult 
and bloodshed. 

" If the Massachusetts should be in this state, it will immedi- 
ately become a question, what should be done with the seven 
regiments now there. I beg leave to submit to your Lordship, 
not as an advice, but as a matter to be considered by better 
heads than mine, whether they and their General, the Governor, 
should not be directed to leave a place, where at present they 
can do no good, and without intention, may do harm. 

"If this measure should be adopted General Gage might 
be instructed, to remind the Colony that the Parliament has 
made laws, and the Government has sent him with a great 
number of troops, to deliver it from tyrannical anarchy under 
which it has long suffered ; that he should have carried this 
good purpose into execution, if he had met with that support 
from the magistrates and better sort of people, which was 
naturally to be expected ; but having found none, to inform 
them he must quit the Colony, leaving it in its present dis- 
tracted state, until it shall become disposed to co-operate in 
helping itself to a better. 

"It is unnecessary to trouble your Lordship now with my 
opinion, where the troops should be stationed after their re- 
moval from the Massachusetts ; but there are places not far 



INTRODUCTION xi 

distant, where so many of them as shall be thought needful, 
may remain in safety with convenience, and at moderate 
expense, till a proper juncture shall offer for their return. In 
the mean time, I humbly conceive that the naval force may be 
so employed, as must necessarily reduce the Colony to sub- 
mission, without shedding a drop of blood. 

"The Island (which I believe is called Castle William) 
being separated from the rest of the Colony, a regiment may 
continue there with safety, if Government shall judge it ex- 
pedient." 

To the Earl oj Dartmouth, December 24, 1774 

*^Our disputes with North America have not at present the 
foundation of interest ; for the contest will cost us more, than 
we can ever gain by the success. 

"I do not believe, any Ministry will ever attempt another 
internal tax on the Americans, by Act of ParHament; and 
experience has shewn, that we have not strength in that part 
of our dominions to levy such taxes, against an universal 
opinion prevaiHng there, that we have no right to lay them. 
Besides, many among ourselves, though persuaded of the 
right, doubt at least the equity of such taxations ; as Parlia- 
ment is less acquainted with the state of the Colonies than of 
Great Britain, and as Members of neither House are to bear 
any part of the burthen they impose. 

"The fair deduction from these premises is, that, whatever 
might be the case when the Stamp duty was first imposed, our 
present contest is about the point of honour only ; which point, 
however, can in certain situations be as Httle yielded to our 
Colonies, as to our neighbours. 

" It is greatly to be lamented, that the North Americans have 
not enabled us to make concessions to them : much might have 
been ceded to their duty and obedience, which must be refused 
to their insolence and resistance. The point under considera- 
tion at present is, how the mother country should act towards 
Colonies, one of which seems to be in actual rebelHon, and many 
more on the verge of it. 

"I will begin with the Massachusetts, whose conduct has 
merited the most severe chastisement, and is such as would 
justify conquest ; but I am against employing troops to con- 
quer that country, for the following reasons. 



xii INTRODUCTION 

"First. I doubt whether all the troops in North America, 
though probably enow for a pitched battle with the strength 
of the Province, are enow to subdue it ; being of great extent, 
and full of men accustomed to fire arms. It is true, they have 
not hitherto been thought brave ; but enthusiasm gives vigour 
of mind and body, unknown before. If the Massachusetts 
(with whom the inhabitants of Connecticut and Rhode Island 
are said to have made common cause) were conquered, they 
must be kept under by large armies and fortresses ; the expense 
of which would be ruinous and endless. 

" Second. Because the most successful conquest, that can be 
imagined, must produce the horrors and bloodshed of civil war. 

"Third. Because a conquest by land is unnecessary ; when 
the country can be reduced first by distress, and then to obe- 
dience, by our Marine totally interrupting all commerce and 
fishery, and even seizing all the ships in the ports, with very 
little expense and less bloodshed. 

"To this might be added, the punishment of the factious 
chiefs, by Impeachment or Bill, if their persons can be secured ; 
but till then, any judicial proceedings would provoke but not 
hurt, and confer the palm of martyrdom without the pain of 
it ; which is the perfection of fanatical beatitude. 

"In respect to the other Colonies south of New England, a 
strict execution of the Act of Navigation, and other restrictive 
laws would probably be sufficient at present; and a small 
addition of frigates and sloops would so execute those laws, 
as to prevent almost all commerce with foreign states. Those 
Colonies should also be left to deal with the Indians ; the 
Mother Country withdrawing the estabhshments made since 
the beginning of the late war for the management of Indian 
affairs, and kept up till this day at a great expense. 

"Though we must depend on our smaller ships for the active 
part of this plan, I think a squadron of ships of the Hne should 
be stationed in North America ; both to prevent the interven- 
tion of foreign powers, and any attempt of the Colonies to 
attack our smaller vessels by sea. 

"It remains to be considered, what should be done with our 
troops. I think they should by no means remain inactive at 
Boston ; where their spirits will be cowed, while the Colony will 
be amazingly enriched. They should not be quartered in any 
of the Provinces, which have sent Deputies to the Congress ; 



INTRODUCTION xiii 

for if in a large body, they will enrich those Colonies, as they 
now do New England ; and if separated into small ones, they 
will certainly be useless, and probably insulted. Very good 
quarters may be provided for them in Canada, Nova Scotia, 
and East Florida, till they can be employed with good effect 
elsewhere. There is still a small detachment in the IlHnois, 
which can no longer be supplied by the Ohio, is useless on the 
Mississippi, and should be withdrawn. 

"If these ideas are well-founded, the Colonies will in a few 
months feel their distress ; their spirits not animated by any 
little successes on their part, or violence of persecution on ours, 
will sink ; they will be consequently inclined to treat, probably 
to submit to a certain degree ; and in my humble opinion, the 
whole is then over, for with dignity we may make them con- 
cessions. I repeat, our contest is merely a point of honour ; and 
Cardinal de Retz wisely observes quHl n'y a Hen, qui doit moins 
s'outrer que Vhonneur. The Colonies will feel we are their 
masters, and will be less provoking for the future ; and if we 
are wise, we shall for the future abstain from all ideas of 
internal taxation. 

"I beg leave to add a word more on this subject. When 
three out of four taxes were repealed in the Duke of Grafton's 
ministry, I proposed in the House of Commons to repeal them 
all, where they had not been resisted, and to repeal none of 
them where they had been. I mentioned somewhat similar 
last year to a meeting at Lord North's. If the tea duty were 
this season repealed in Canada, Nova Scotia, Georgia, East and 
West Florida, I cannot help thinking it would produce very 
good consequences ; and would shew the refractory Colonies 
that obedience is a sure way to be relieved. 

"Pardon, my dear Lord, this liberty. I have accustomed 
myself for near thirty years, to lay my opinions before Minis- 
ters ; and as this was the only trouble I gave them, they took 
it in good part. Possibly all my ideas, and many others, may 
have been suggested to your own mind by the subject : God 
grant, that you and the other Ministers may adopt those meas- 
ures, that may give us peace and prosperity." 

Upon the sanguine expectation of the force, which it might 
be practicable to send out to America, Lord Barrington thought 



xiv INTRODUCTION 

it his duty to attempt to undeceive the Minister as soon as 
possible; and in July, 1775, addressed the following letter to 
the American Secretary : — 

To the Earl of Dartmouth, July 31, lyj^ 

"Mr. Pownall having mentioned to me this day, that it was 
intended the force in North America should by next Spring be 
raised to twenty thousand regulars, I told him it was clearly 
my opinion, that no such number could be raised or procured for 
this purpose ; and therefore ventured to recommend strongly, 
that no expectation of the kind should be given, in the dis- 
patches going out to the Colonies. General Harvey was pres- 
ent, and joined in this opinion, which I dare say Mr. Pownall 
intends to mention to your Lordship : but as the vast multi- 
plicity of affairs, now going through his hands, may prevent 
his remembering it, I think it safest in this manner, to state 
it to your Lordship, with all due deference to better opinions." 

To this he added, on the same day, the following letter to 
his Majesty : — • 

To the King, July ji, lyjs 

"I have just finished a long conference with Sir John Bla- 
quiere, General Harvey, and Mr. Pownall. I think I may ven- 
ture to say, that every thing ordered by your Majesty, in the 
two letters dated 29th, and one dated the 30th of this month, 
has been clearly communicated to the several persons, con- 
cerned in the execution ; and I trust there will be no mistake 
made by any of them. I have seen the commissions framed 
for Major-Generals Howe and Carleton, which I conceive to 
be clear, and sufficient to answer your Majesty's purpose in 
granting them. 

"I wish. Sir, most cordially, that the force intended for 
North America may be raised in time, to be sent thither next 
Spring; but I not only fear, but am confident, the proposed 
augmentation cannot possibly be raised, and ought not to be 
depended on." 

A few days after he sent the following, on the same subject, 
to the Prime Minister: — 



INTRODUCTION XV 

To Lord North, August 8, 7775 

"I have several plans under consideration, for raising for- 
eigners and Irishmen, to serve in our regiments. Those of 
them which seem practicable and proper, I will report to your 
Lordship ; for as it is the measure of Government to have a 
large army in North America, it is my duty and inclination to 
make that measure succeed to the utmost ; though my own 
opinion always has been and still is, that the Americans may be 
reduced by the fleet, but never can be by the army. I wish I 
could flatter myself, that the utmost exertion of our endeavours 
would produce the recruits we shall want, before next Spring." 

Two months after, he addressed a fifth letter, as follows, to 
the American Secretary : — 

To the Earl of Dartmouth, October 26, ijy^ . 

"On my arrival at the War Office last Monday, I found that 
five regiments were to be sent from Ireland, in the beginning of 
December : I am not apprised where they are going ; but I 
conclude from universal report, that they are intended to act 
as a separate corps in North America, to the southward. If 
there should be an idea of such a force marching up the coun- 
try, I hope it will not be entertained ; for there must be great 
danger of its wanting many essential necessaries, where there 
is so Httle to be had, so much desire to prevent the having that 
little, so much difficulty in conveying artillery, stores, pro- 
visions, &c. and so much hazard of losing communication with 
the ships. As to other dangers, I am no judge. 

"Allow me once more, my dear Lord, to remind you of the 
necessity there is, in all military matters, not to stir a step 
without full consultation of able military men, after giving 
them the most perfect knowledge of the whole matter under 
consideration, with all its circumstances. 

"I am sensible nothing can excuse the frequent liberties of 
this kind which I take, but an honest disinterested anxiety 
for the public, and desire to serve the King and his Adminis- 
tration." ^ 

^ Shute Barrington's Political Life of William Wildman, Viscount Barrington, 
compiled from Original Papers, 140-152. 



xvi INTRODUCTION 

Francis Bernard came of a distinguished English family and 
was a man of scholarly instincts and some learning. He was 
bred to the law ; but financial reasons compelled him to leave 
London for the provinces. He settled at the cathedral city of 
Lincoln, becoming steward of that city and later, recorder of 
the neighboring town of Boston. In 1741, he married Amelia 
Ofiiey, granddaughter of Benjamin Shute. Her mother was 
the sister of the first Viscount Barrington and of Colonel 
Shute, sometime Governor of Massachusetts. Francis Ber- 
nard soon became intimate with his wife's successful relative, 
the second Lord Barrington. When the pressure of a growing 
family began to bear heavily on Bernard's resources, Barring- 
ton secured for him the position of Governor of New Jersey, 
and a few years later obtained for him the more lucrative office 
of Governor of Massachusetts Bay. Throughout Bernard's 
American career, Barrington was his faithful friend and adviser, 
although with his own tact and accommodating disposition, 
the doings of his cousin's husband must have oftentimes been 
exceedingly annoying. After Bernard's return to England, 
even Barrington's influence could not save him from the fate 
that his lack of tact and harshness of utterance brought upon 
him. George III and Lord North were too shrewd not to 
realize that the unfortunate course of events in Massachusetts 
in the ten years following 1760 was largely due to his incapac- 
ity. They provided Bernard with a pension, but took little 
interest in seeing that it was paid. As one means of relieving 
the exchequer. Sir Francis was appointed one of the Com- 
missioners of Customs for Ireland. This appointment troubled 
him because he did not wish to go to Ireland, and the whole 
matter had the appearance of putting him on the shelf. At 
the time of the excitement in London over the behavior of the 
Boston people toward the East India Company and its tea 



INTRODUCTION xvii 

Bernard, according to William Knox, "infused the opinion into 
Lord North" that the mode of drawing jurors in Massachusetts 
should be regulated and that town meetings should be pre- 
vented. The ordinary idea is that these suggestions came from 
Lord George Germain, but Knox was at the center of affairs, 
although he may have forgotten the precise details at the time 
he made this entry .^ At all events, in 1774, Sir Francis Ber- 
nard's name was restored to the pension roll and arrangements 
were made for the support of Lady Bernard and the children 
as appears from a letter written by Thomas Hutchinson on the 
fourth day of December in that year: — 

" S"^. F. Bernard has obtained a pension of £800 for himself, 
and 4oo£ Lady Bernard, and a place of better than 2oo£ a 
year for his son Tom ; all which makes him happy, and I think 
more healthy. He has been with me as a lodger for 10 or 11 
days, in a house which I have taken three doors above Park 
Place, very pleasant and well furnished. We live in great 
friendship." ^ 

Lady Bernard never enjoyed her separate pension, as she 
died in May, 1778, sHghtly more than a year before Sir Francis 
himself. The two following letters written by his son, Thomas, 
form an appropriate close to this brief survey of the life of 
the next to the last royal governor of Massachusetts : — 

To the Earl of Hillsborough, June 30, 1779 

My Lord, 

The Countenance & Support that your Lordship has at all 
Times given to my late Father Sir Francis Bernard ^ induce 
me to hope that your Lordship will excuse the Liberty I 

^ Royal Historical Manuscripts Commission's Reports, Various Collections, 
vi, 257. There is no date to this entry in the "Knox Papers." It may be that 
the narrator's recollection was a little at fault ; certainly it is to be hoped that 
Bernard did not give the fatal advice attributed to him. 

^ Diary and Letters of Thomas Hutchinson, i, 313 note. 

'Followed by "& the many Favors that you have conferred upon him," 
then crossed off. 



xviii INTRODUCTION 

take in entreating you that the inclosed Letter to Lord North 
may pass to his Lordship's hands through your Mediation. 
I hope I do not presume too much in this Request ; & as there 
are Some Parts of the Letter which may require Explanation 
I hope your Lordship will permit me to wait upon you; I 
will do myself the honor of calhng tomorrow Morning to know 
when it will be agreeable. 

I have the honor to be with 
great Respect, 

Your Lordships faithful 
& most obed humble Serv 
Lincolns Inn. 30 June 1779 Thomas Bernard 

The Right honble 
The Earl of Hillsborough 

To Lord North, July 1, 1779 

My Lord,^ 

I trust that your Lordship will pardon an AppHcation 
occasioned by the Death of my Father the late Sir Francis 
Bernard ; whose private Fortune, never considerable, is so 
far from having been increased in the Service of Government, 
that it has been eventually diminished; as I think I could 
easily explain to your Lordship's Satisfaction. 

My Lord Barrington's Goodness to me ^ & the Marriage 
of my eldest Sister have made our Situations easy ; but the 
very slender Provision, which my late Father was able to make 
for my youngest Brother & my three younger Sisters, com- 
pels me to beseech your Lordship's favor with his Majesty 
for a Continuance to them of Some Small Part of his Pension, 
either in four separate Sums of £100 each, or as Shall be 
thought proper. Permit me to say that the Favor will not 
be unworthy of your Lordship's benevolent Disposition, & I 
pray you to excuse the Pride with which I add that it is not 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xii, 303, 311. These letters are endorsed on the back : 
"Thomas Bernard to Lord North July i. 1779. on the death of his father Sir 
Francis Bernard." 

2 In another draft of this letter {ihid., xii, 319) after the words "to me" 
the following was inserted : " (in recommending me to the Appoint* of one of the 
Deps : Comms of Musters)." 



INTRODUCTION xix 

unmerited by the Zeal & Integrity with which my Father 
devoted his Life and Abilities to the Service of his Majesty. 

I have the honor to be 
i^\ July. 1779 Your Lordship's dutiful 

& obedient Servant 

Thomas Bernard 
The Right honble 
Lord North 

Bernard's personality comes out clearly in the following let- 
ters. His growing family and his aristocratic desires made nec- 
essary a larger income. The only way that he could see to 
improve his fortune was to secure places and pensions for 
himself and his children, to get an augmentation of salary, and 
to secure whatever additional grants he could from the treas- 
ury. As these letters were written to his poUtical backer in 
England, these matters are constantly mentioned in them and 
give one an impression of sordidness of character that was 
really foreign to Sir Francis's nature. Among other gains was 
the gift of Mt. Desert Island from the Massachusetts Assem- 
bly in the early years of Bernard's tenure of office. Unfortu- 
nately for him, Mt. Desert was outside of the territory which 
was at the disposal of the provincial assembly. It required 
the confirmation of the king and this proved to be no easy 
matter to obtain. 

Had Bernard's career in Massachusetts been in other times, 
it is conceivable that he might have had a pleasant and profit- 
able term of office, for his scholarly tastes would have been in 
harmony with his surroundings. His fall from colonial grace 
came soon after the grant of Mt. Desert and grew out of the 
affair of the Writs of Assistance. The Assembly had passed a 
bill designed to mitigate some of the objections to the use of 
these general search warrants. Bernard felt obliged to negative 
this law. This affair was hardly smoothed over when the 



XX INTRODUCTION 

passage of the Stamp Act aroused sharp differences that con- 
tinued to the end. 

Governor Bernard did not approve of the project of taxing 
America by act of Parliament, as it was attempted. He thought 
that the provincial governments should be thoroughly re- 
formed before anything of the kind was done. Besides, he 
wrote that Massachusetts in 1765 was burdened with taxes. 
His scheme for colonial reformation was to assimilate the pro- 
vincial governments to that of Ireland. At a later time, he 
argued for the admission of American representatives to the 
imperial Parliament. Barrington put this suggestion aside 
with the assertion that there were not ten men in both Houses 
of Parliament who would favor any such project. At the time 
of the Stamp Act commotions, Bernard had appHed for 
troops. Arrangements had been made for sending soldiers 
to Boston when he changed his mind and refrained from 
using the discretionary orders that had been placed in his 
hands. 

From November, 1765, Bernard was exceedingly anxious 
to return to England, or to be transferred to some other colony. 
Barrington opposed these projects of return, but procured for 
him a discretionary letter of recall. Barrington also used his 
influence to procure a more advantageous post for his cousin's 
husband. Finally Bernard was on the point of being trans- 
ferred to Virginia with the title of baronet, when the necessity 
for providing for Lord Botetourt prevented the former. 
Instead, Bernard was given the title without the payment of 
any fees, and was ordered home to report on the state of the 
province. Two things had made it extremely desirable for 
him to leave Massachusetts in 1769. When it had been 
determined to send troops to Boston in 1768, following on the 
seizure of the sloop Liberty, Barrington had foreseen that the 



INTRODUCTION xxi 

Quartering Act would be unworkable. The soldiers had not 
been hospitably received and the officers laid some of the blame 
for this on the governor. Bernard excused himself as well as 
he could, but he had become unpopular with the soldiers as 
well as with the people. The dislike of the latter had been 
greatly increased by the printing of Bernard's official letters to 
his superiors in England. These had been laid before Parlia- 
ment and had become public property. There is nothing in 
the letters printed in this volume, nor anywhere in the "Ber- 
nard Papers," to explain the cessation of the cordial relations 
which for a decade had subsisted between Lord Barrington and 
Sir Francis Bernard. All that can be said is that the last ten 
years of Bernard's life were out of keeping with the promise of 
the ten years of his American career.^ 
Lord Barrington's letters are in his own hand and are the 

^The first two volumes of Mrs. Napier Higgins' The Bernards of Ahington 
and Nether Winchendon, A Family History (4 vols., London, 1903) contains 
what is substantially a life of Sir Francis Bernard. On library catalogues this 
work is sometimes entered under Mrs. Higgins' baptismal name Sophia, which 
does not appear on the title page. She knew that thirteen volumes of Governor 
Bernard's papers were in the Harvard College Library, and thus referred to them 
in her preface : "Documents illustrating the most critical period of the history 
of England in its relations with America have been allowed to fall into American 
hands, and it has not therefore been practicable for me to consult them." To 
this book should be added The Political Life of William Wildman, Viscount 
Barrington, compiled from Original Papers by his brother, Shute, Bishop of Durham 
(London, 1814). 

Some of the matter contained in this volume has already been printed in the 
Select Letters on the Trade and Government of America by Governor Bernard 
(London, 1774). Many of these are again reprinted in one or more of the fol- 
lowing books : Copy of the Complaint of the House of Representatives of Massa- 
chusetts-Bay against Sir Francis Bernard: with Sir Francis Bernard's Answer 
(no date) ; Conduct of the Late Administration examined, relative to the American 
Stamp-Act (London, 1777); and Almon's Collection of Interesting, Authentic 
Papers relative to the Dispute between Great Britain and America, 1764-1775. 
This last was published at London in 1777 and is always referred to as the 
"Prior Documents" from the running headline. Other original matter from 
Bernard's pen is to be found in Letters to the Ministry from Governor Bernard, 



xxii INTRODUCTION 

originals received by Governor Bernard and filed away by him. 
Bernard's letters are from his "Letter Books." Some of them 
were undoubtedly copied from the letters as sent; in other 
cases it is not unlikely that the letters are copied from Bernard's 
original drafts written, possibly, upon a chance sheet of paper 
and destroyed after copying. The drafts are in several hands, 
being written by clerks or scribes whom Bernard employed ; 
in a few instances the chirography changes in the midst of a 
letter. They are corrected, interhned, and re-written so much 
that it is difficult to reproduce them in print. The attempt is 
here made in the text and in the notes to show the original 
spelling, capitahzation, and punctuation. In arranging the 
correspondence, the plan has been followed of placing Bar- 
rington's letters immediately after those of Bernard to which 
they refer ; but this has not always been found to be pos- 
sible. 

In the Appendix are some papers relating to the financial 
and military limitations of the functions of a provincial 
governor. These are general in their nature and do not 
relate particularly to Massachusetts. Appendix III contains 
a long one-sided statement of the course of events in Massa- 
chusetts, beginning with 1766 and including a narrative of 
the tea troubles. The author and date of writing are both 
unknown, but the document is so valuable in its point of view 

General Gage, and Commodore Hood (Boston, 1769); Letters to the Right Hon- 
ourable the Earl of Hillsborough, from Governor Bernard, General Gage, and the 
Honourable His Majesty's Council of Massachusetts Bay (Boston, 1769) ; and in 
Alden Bradford's Speeches of the Governors of Massachusetts, from 1765 to 1775; 
and the Anszvers of the House of Representatives (Boston, 1818). There is a good 
deal of material relating to Bernard in the Diary and Letters of Thomas Hutchin- 
son edited by P. O. Hutchinson (2 vols., Boston, 1884-86), and in the third 
volume of Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts Bay (London, 1828). Of mod- 
ern accounts that by J. K. Hosmer in his Life of Thomas Hutchinson (Boston, 
1896) is perhaps the best. 



INTRODUCTION xxiii 

that it has been thought worthy of a place in this volume. All 
the matter in the Appendix is drawn from the "Bernard 
Papers." 

Edward Channing, 
Archibald Gary Coolidge, 

Committee of Publication. 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
August 6, 191 2. 



THE BARRINGTON-BERNARD 
CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD i 

Cavendish Square i6^'' April 1759 
Dear Sir, 

Some time since I received your Letter concerning Colonel 
Peter Schuyler, of whose merit I have heard much, & whose 
character I greatly admire ; & yet perhaps he might not shine 
so much, commanding a Corps of Regulars, as he does with 
his command of Provincials. The Army is a trade in which 
a man must begin his apprenticeship young; be that as it 
may, a proposition of the kind you mention must not come 
from the War Office ; it can only come with effect from the 
Commander in Chief in America. I beg this may not dis- 
courage you from giving me future hints : I shall always think 
myself obliged by them. 

Since my last I have had the affliction to lose my Sister Price, 
who died in childbed of her tenth child. She was threaten'd 
with a cancer, a circumstance I did not know before her death, 
& which is certainly some alleviation of the concern it gives 
to all her friends. I hope you, M'? Bernard, & the little 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 39. The letter to which 
this is a reply is not among the "Bernard Papers"; usually Barrington's letters 
are in answer to one or more from Bernard. 



2 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

family with you continue perfectly well, & pleased with your 
situation. 
I am with the greatest truth esteem & regard 

Dear Sir 

your most obedient 
humble Servant 

Barrington 
His Excellency Fra^? Bernard EsqF 
GovF of New Jersey. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Perth- Amboy Mar. 22. 1759 
My Lord 

As I know it will be agreeable to your Lordship to hear of 
the good Success of my proceedings here ; I give you the trouble 
to inform you that there is the utmost harmony between me 
& the Assembly, which has been lately made Evident in a 
Sessions just now ended ; where the Public business has been 
expedited with an unanimity & dispatch scarce ever known 
before. For proof whereof I beg leave to inclose such of the 
proceedings as have been printed in the Neighbouring News 
papers. 

As I think it necessary to endeavour to get this province 
favoured in such articles as the Abilities of y^ People will 
reccommend them to ; & also to serve, in the best Manner I 
can, those Gentlemen to whom I am most indebted for the 
Support of the Government & the Assistance of myself : I 
must beg the favour of your Lordship, that, — if the present 
Conquests, any future acquisitions, or other establishments 
should afford an Opportunity, you wou'^ Grant a Victualling 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 167. 



NEW JERSEY 3 

contract to this port ; for which there is none other in America 
so fit ; as this Province, besides its exports Elsewhere, supplies 
the Port of New York with the greatest part of their Vittuall- 
ing Store. 

The Person whom I would reccommend for this undertaking 
is John Stevens Esq?^, Member of the Assembly for this City, 
a very Considerable Land-holder, & throughly acquainted 
with the several branches of trade, & now Commissary for 
Cloathing &c the New Jersey Regiment. His Influence & 
abilities have given him opportunity of being of the greatest 
use in the Support of the Government. & his friendly Dispo- 
sition has made him very serviceable to me in my private 
affairs. In short, our connections are such, that a favour of 
this kind to him would be the same as if done to myself. 

I ought to be ashamed in troubling your Lordship again, 
after having received so many favours; but I hope it will be 
understood, that I make no request to your Lordship, without 
the Condition, that It is agreeable to your Lordships senti- 
ments & convenience. 

My house is at Present a War-office & hke to continue so 
for a month longer ; when I hope to have my regiment to a 
man in the field, under the Command of Col. Schuyler. We 
are three weeks earlier in this business this year then the last ; 
I can truly say that I have not lost a day. 

We are all very well & desire that Our Complim*? may be 

acceptable to your Lordship, your Lady, Lady Dowager & all 

our friends. I am my Lord, 

your Lordships & 

&c &c &c 
Lord Barrington. 



4 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi (?) 

Perth Amboy May 23 1759 
My Lord 

I acknowledged your Lordships favor of the 5*^^ of Febry. 
by the last packet, intending to give your Lordship a further 
trouble concerning your kind hint, when I had got my regi- 
ment of Jersey blues in the field : These I have had the pleas- 
ure to see embarked for Albany 2 days ago compleately clothed 
& furnished well officerd & full to a man. And now I am 
at liberty to think of other things. If the peculiar circum- 
stances of my family did not require an uncommon exertion 
to make a provision for them, I should condemn myself for 
thinking of another Government. But 'till Nature sets 
bounds to the Number of my children, (which is not done yet) 
I know not how to limit my wants or desires. Upon this 
account only can I desire another Government : & I cant 
but consider that in pursuing one advantage, I shall lose 
some others that I set an Value upon. There are several 
agreable circumstances in my present situation, which I can- 
not expect to have improved, but must have some of them 
impaired by removing from hence. They are cheifly these, 
The Health & Beauty of the Country; the good disposition 
of the people in a political sense, or, what answers the same 
purpose, their favourable Opinion of me ; the free & easy 
Way of life in which I am permitted to live in, being quite 
of the Way of form & parade. As to the first of these, I 
look upon this Town to be the precise spot of a medium of 
the temperature of this province (besides its peculiar healthi- 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 173. This is undoubtedly to 
Lord Barrington, but the letter mentioned, dated Feb. 5, is not among these 
papers. In the manuscript the last part of the letter is crowded together on 
the page, leaving barely room for the letters, "L'^B." 



DESIRE FOR CHANGE 5 

ness above other places in the same latitude) ; & that whoever 
goes North or South of this province, changes his situation 
for the worse. Therefore, in regard to Climate, I should not 
care to go North of New York or South of Pennsylvania, & 
therefore should confine my desires to the two next neigh- 
bouring Governments. In regard to the political disposition 
of the people No one can assure himself of an easy Govern- 
ment in the former, or can hope for it in the latter. If, in- 
deed, the appointments of Governors should be settled by 
Parliament so as to make them independent of the people 
(which has been much talked of & cannot be done too soon) 
I could venture on any government & trust to my discretion 
supported by independency. Or if Pennsylvania should be 
made a royal Government (which must be done, however 
reluctant the proprietors may be to it) and a fixed Salary 
should be settled on the Governor, I would venture on that. 
And till these things are done, there will be no restoring peace 
to that distracted province. I will trust your Lordship 

with a foible of mine, which, if known, would lower me in the 
Opinion of the prudent & discreet men of the World. I find I 
have a good deal of public Spirit in me & take a pleasure in 
doing my Country service, where my own intrest is not 
equally concerned. I know of no greater Service, that this 
Coimtry affords for a public spirited Man (except the defend- 
ing it from its enemies) than settHng the disorders, heaHng 
the divisions & ballancing the constitutions of the Govern- 
ments; & there is no province that affords so arduous & so 
glorious a task as Pennsylvania. With a prospect of success 
in so great a work (which, with proper assistance from the 
Crown & also, if necessary, from the Parhament, might be 
hoped for) I think, I could give up the ease & pleasure I have 
here ; which I should think ill exchanged for any money, did 



6 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

not the considerations before mentioned intervene. But I am 
far from desiring this; & it is probable, that things are not 
ripe enough for such an alteration. If therefore my services 
should be thought sufficient to intitle me to further favors, 
It is possible, I may be able to point out some means of mak- 
ing some addition to what I now enjoy, without my quitting 
this Government, If I can explain myself farther on this 
subject I shall do it by the first opportunity. 

I am going to the Southward parts of this province next 
week, & from thence shall cross over to Philadelphia ; where 
I shall learn the particulars of a new revolution in that City. 
It seems the Governor has consented to a bill for taxing the 
unimproved lands, contrary to the principal article of his 
instructions: and the Assembly has given him one of the 3 
years Salary they owed him. They say, he might have had 
the whole if he had required it : but now they say, he must 
do another job to get the other two years. This is not to be 
wonderd at: for it is well known, that the proprietors have 
been for some time looking out for another governor; & there- 
fore, they must not be surprized if the present endeavours 
to get in his arrears before he goes. But it will be strange, 
if this does not open the eyes of the proprietors & make them 
see the necessity of surrendring the government to the King 
after having the right of the proprietorship settled by private 
concessions. This was the Case of New Jersey: the taxing 
the proprietors unsettled Estates was the chief bone of con- 
tention between them & the Assembly, till the surrender of 
the Government after which It was never so much as at- 
tempted. I am &c 



GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS 7 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD * 

Cavendish Square 14. Nov'. 1759. 
Dear Sir, 

I have to my shame I confess it, several Letters of your's 
which I have not yet acknowledged. Some of them relate to 
forfeited Lands concerning which M' Pownal and I have had 
several conversations. I need not explain the difi&culties we 
should have found in a pursuit of that nature, as a fortunate 
circumstance has offer 'd which will carry you from new 
Jersey to Boston. The Death of Colonel Haldane Governour 
of Jamaica has occasion'd a general promotion of Governours 
in America : M!" Lyttelton goes to Jamaica, M!" Pownall to 
Carolina, you go to Boston & M^ Boon succeeds you. I 
found Lord Halifax in the best disposition to shew his regard 
for you and approbation of your conduct, & I am to wish 
you Joy of the thing you desired, given in the manner that 
must please you the most. I will endeavour that your In- 
structions shall be as little Inconvenient to you as possible, 
and shall be happy in every opportunity of shewing my sincere 
regard & affection for you and your family. I hope this 
change will not be less agreable to my Cousin than it is to 
you ; & I beg you will convey to her my sincere Compliments 
& congratulations. 

I have not time to give you an Account of our Successes 
in Europe & in Asia as well as in America. They are great, 
and I hope they will produce us a good Peace; but hitherto 
no Overtures of that sort have been made. 

All M*? Bernard's Relations in my family are well, except 
M. Gen! Barrington who got an unlucky Accident ashooting 
in Norfolk : a friend of his firing at a Partridge one of the 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 73. 



8 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

shots touched the white of his Eye. He has been blind of 

that Eye ever since, & has sufferd great pain in different 

parts of his head; but he is now much easyer, the Eye is 

coming to itself, and there is the greatest reason to think he 

will recover the Use of it. The other Eye never was in the 

least affected. All of us join in sincere Compliments & 

wishes to you and M"? Bernard. I am with the greatest 

truth & regard 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 

most faithful & 

most obedient Serv!^ 

It is expected that Barrington 

in a few days your 

Appointment will go thro 

the forms of the Council. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square 22*^ Feb^ 1760 
Dear Sir 

I receiv'd with great pleasure the account you sent me of M''^ 
Bernards' safe dehvery. I have communicated this good 
news in the manner you desire to her Relations here, who all 
join with me in comphments to her & you on this occasion, 

I hope you receiv'd my Letter acquainting you with your 
removal to the Government of New England. I flatter 
myself the change will be advantageous for you ; the most 
sanguine wish of your friends cannot go farther than that 
the People over whom you are going to preside may think 
of you, & act towards you as you deserve. 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 93. The letter to which 
this is a reply is not in the " Bernard Papers." 



COURSE OF THE WAR 9 

A little time will shew what expectations we may form of 
Peace, but we are acting as if there were to be the most vigor- 
ous continuation of War. Prince Ferdinand's Army will not 
consist of less than 90,000 men, and no other part of the 
World will be neglected. 

I am with my best wishes 
Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful and 

most obedient Servant 

Barrington 
P.S. 

I have sometimes the 

pleasure to see my Godson 

who I assure you, without 

flattery, is a very fine 

Youth, & is reckon'd one 

of the best Scholars of 

Westminster. 

His Excellency 

Francis Bernard Esq'' &c. &c. &c. 
at New Jersey. America. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Perth Amboy feb iS'*" 1760 
My Lord 

I received Your Lordships favor of Nov 14*'' last fryday & 

want words to express my thankfullness to your Lordship for 

your kind & Earnest Care of us. I need not repeat to your 

Lordship, that it is upon my Childrens account only that I 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 194. 



lo BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

have solicited this advancement, in regard to ourselves, we 
shall quit this place with regret, as the People have joined 
with the Country & Climate to engage our Afifection for it. 
& therefore Your Lordship must not be surprised if some 
years hence when I can better afford to perfer ease & pleasure 
to profit, I shall trouble your Lordship to get me sent back 
to Amboy : which I suppose will allways be an easier task 
than the present has been ; as competitors for governments 
are, in General, more attentive to the income than the Situa- 
tion. 

I have not been able at Yet to form any Certain Judgment 
of the Value of that Government : It is generally said to be 
worth ^1500 Sterling pf an. If so, as it is undoubtedly a 
cheaper market than N York, I think we shall live for half 
that Money ; especially as MF Pownall has established a life 
of reserve which tho' I could not so well begin it myself I 
can follow, & shall, as far as it is Convenient with the honours 
of the Place. As I am order'd to stay here 'till MF Boone 
comes, I reckon I shall not set out for Boston till some time 
in May next ; as soon as I get a little settled there, I will 
acquaint your Lordship with the particular situation & the 
Circumstances of the Governm*^ It is one good one, that, 
as I am assured, MF Pownall has brought it into very good 
order ; & I doubt not but I shall keep it so, as I have no 
reason to fear that any impracticable instructions will interfere. 

I this day rec^ a letter from Gen! Amherst, desiring that I 
would set my Assembly about providing for the Campaign. 
But I must have a letter from MF Pitt before they will mind 
me. It seems to me inevitable that the Provincial troops 
must take the field this Year, tho' there is little more to do 
than to take possession. But I hope the amazing Series of 
Success, that has attended his Majesty's arms, will authorise 



SALARY AND FEES ii 

him to retain Canada : and I can assure your Lordship that 
that Acquisition only will be worth all the Expences of the 
War. 

We are extreamly concerned for Gen^ Barrington's mis- 
fortune, but flatter ourselves that a Cure with a recovery of 
the Sight has been brought about; especially as we see in 
the papers, that he is going with a Command to Germany. 
We beg your Lordship will present our Congratulations to 
him on the Great honours he has deserved of & rec^ from his 
Country. 

Our CompUments wait on the Ladies & all our Friends. 
I am with the greatest Gratitude 

my Lord 

your Lordships most obedient 
Lord Barrington & most humble Servant 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON i 

New York Ap, 19. 1760 
My Lord 

I am just arrived here from New London, where I have 

met Gov"^ Pownall & been informed of the state of Massa- 

chusets bay. The income of the Government falls short of 

expectation, being hardly to be brought up to -^1200 sterling 

by reckoning in all advantages & contingencies. On the 

other side it seems that the expenses of Hving will also prove 

short of expectation, so that upon the whole the ballance 

may turn out so much in my favor as to make my removal 

advantageous on account of Money only. But there are 

other advantages of consequence to me, among which I must 

reckon the greater Opportunities I shall have of educating & 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 201. 



12 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

providing for my children ; of which I shall have much better 
means than I could expect here. As for the people,^ I am 
assured that I may depend upon a quiet & easy administra- 
tion. I shall have no points of government to dispute about, 
no schemes of self intrest to pursue. The People are well 
disposed to Hve upon good terms with the Governor & with 
one another : and I hope I shall not want to be directed by a 
junto or supported by a party ; but that I shall find there as 
I have done here, that plain-dealing integrity & disinterested- 
ness make the best System of policy. 

As to the pleasures of hfe, there is a great contrast between 
the two places. This Town (Amboy) struck me Very much 
at first for the pleasantness of its situation ; and I think still 
that I never saw a more delightful place for a country seat. 
But when I found myself wholly secluded from refined conver- 
sation & the amusements that arise from letters arts & sciences, 
I learnt that there might be too much of retirement. On 
the other hand Boston is perhaps the most polished & scientific 
Town in America. I shall find there a good public library, 
many very conversible men, tolerable musick & other amuse- 
ments to which I had bid adieu not without regret It is 
true, that the parade of the Government & the great con- 
course of company will be disagreable at first : but in time we 
shall get rid of part of this & be familiarised to the other part. 
And to Vary the Scene We shall have a very pretty place to re- 
tire to, a pleasant apartment in Castle William which stands in 
an Island about 3 miles from the Town at the entrance of the ^ 
bay. 

'This part, beginning with "As for the people" through the end of the 
paragraph, is printed in Mrs. Napier Higgins's The Bernards of Abinglon and 
Nellier Winchedon, i, 248. 

^ First written "in a pleasant," then changed to "at the entrance of the." 



BOSTON SOCIETY 13 

Your Lordship will perhaps have expected to have heard 
from me long before this comes to hand. But we have been 
Very unfortunate in the packets this Winter. My letters 
from London dated the Middle of November I did not receive 
till the Middle of febry. My answers to them, which were 
wrote immediately after the receipt, are now lying at the 
post office here, waiting for the arrival of a packet boat, 
which is now suppose to be taken, & on board of which it is 
expected mine & M"^ Boones commissions have been put. 
If these should fail, the succession at Amboy & Boston would 
be stopt for some time. I am with our compHments, My 
Lord &c 
Lord Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square 3'' June 1760. 
Dear Sir 

I am favour'd by two Letters of your's One dated the iS*^*" 

of February the other the 19*^'' of April, and I am happy to 

find that you are pleas'd with the Exchange of Governments. 

The paper you enclose shews plainly how well the people of 

Jersey are pleas'd with your adminstration ; I make no 

doubt of your being as much lik'd at Boston. Your conduct 

in both governments will make it a pleasing and an easy 

task to sollicit one better than either, when ever any such 

shall be vacant, and agreable to You. I am also very happy 

to find that M" Bernard likes America so well; I beg you 

will present my best Compliments to her together with my 

assurances of regard, and desire of contributing to whatever 

may be useful and agreable to her & her family. 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 107. 



14 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

You have heard before this time that the Estate in Derby- 
shire is sold. M'^ Porter's share I have put into the four per 
Cent Annuities of this Year with her approbation. Her in- 
come will be a httle increas'd by the Exchange. 

All your friends here are well, and extremly happy to find 
that you are settled so much to your satisfaction. They all 
send the most affectionate Compliments to you and M" 
Bernard. Major Gen' Barrington's Eye mends apace, but 
his Constitution has not recover'd the shock of a West Indian 
Climate, so as to serve abroad this Campaign. He is going 
to Scotland where he is to serve under Lord George Beau- 
clerck, who commands in Chief in that Country. 

I assure you, without flattery that my Godson is a very 
fine Boy : I have it from good hands that he is one of the 
best Scholars in Westminster School. I have never heard 
you say to what profession he is destin'd. If your Inclina- 
tions and his are for the Army I will endeavour to procure 
him a Commission before the War is over. I am with the 
greatest truth & regard 

Dear Sir 

Your most faithful & 
His Excellency most obedient Servant 

Francis Bernard Esq"" Barrington 

Governor of New England. 



ENTRY INTO BOSTON 15 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston Aug".* 7*'' 1760 
My Lord 

I was preparing to inform Your Lordship of Our Safe arrival 
at this Town when I rec*^ your Lordship favor of the 3'^^ of 
June which was brought by the Leicester Packet which arrived 
here this Morning, As the Packet was drove in here by 
southerly winds, I ordered Gen! Amherst's dispatches to be 
sent from hence to albany under the Care of a Lieut of High- 
landers & an Express rider by which means he will receive 
them a week sooner than he would by way of New York. 

We made our Entry here last Saturday in a very Mag- 
nificient Manner. It seems there had been no Instance of a 
Gov"^ entring by land since GovF Burnetts time so the Cere- 
monial was in a Manner new. For this I shall refer your Lord- 
ship to the new[s] of the day, which I shall add to the triffles 
which your Lordships kindness for us has encouraged me from 
time to time to trouble you with. I have the Pleasure to in- 
form your Lordship that I have a very fair Prospect of an 
easy Administration from the Assurances of All persons con- 
cerned in it that I have yet seen ; as also from the favourable 
impressions, which I am told have been rec*^ of me as well 
from London as from New Jersey. 

I am very Glad that the money is laid out with M"? Porters 
approbation & for her Advantage, whatever your Lordship 
shall do therein will certainly have our approbation. Per- 
haps when the war is over if stock should Rise, & private 
intrest (as it Generally is) be higher than public, It may be 
more for her Advantage to Vest the Money upon land Security 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 272. 



1 6 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

We are Extreamly Glad that Gen! Barrington is in the Way 
of Recovery from all his shocks ; we are much obliged to our 
friends for their kind remembrance of us & beg your Lord- 
ship will again present our Compliments 

Your Lordship may imagine that I receive great Pleasure 
from your Accounts of my son; and I must do him Justice 
to say that it agrees with Accounts I receive from every one 
Else, I am very much obliged to your Lordship for your kind 
intention towards him : but I have not as yet formed nor do 
I intend for some time to form any resolution Concerning 
his profession. I intend at present to indulge his uncommon 
tast for literature ; & for that purpose would have him to 
pursue his studies at Oxford for 3 or 4 Years. At Next 
Westminster Election (which is the Monday before Ascension 
day) I hope to have him elected to Christ Church : to secure 
this point with the dean of Ch. Ch. I fear I must trouble your 
Lordship to add a little weight: a word from the Duke of 
New-Castle (who I imderstand to be the Deans patron) will 
make all safe. M^ Stone will I doubt not, save your Lord- 
ship any trouble you please in this business. 

As this extention of his Education will superannuate him 
for the Army, I shan[t (worn off)] be able to avail my self of 
your Lordships kind offer on that Account. But If the 
Placeing him out depended on me alone, I should not doubt 
to express my desire to see him (when his Education is Com- 
pleated) in some public office, if Possible under your Lordship 
Eye 

M"? Bernard begs leave to Join with me in our best respects 
to your Lordships 

I am my Lord 

Your Lordships most obedi^ 
& most humble servant 



PROSPECTS 17 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square 15^^ October 1760. 
Dear Sir 

I am favour'd by your Letter dated Boston August the 7'^'*, 
and am extremly happy to find by it that New England is 
so agreable to you & M'^ Barnard. The prospect of an easy 
administration is by your account extremly fair. I most 
sincerely hope it will equal not only your expectations, but 
your wishes : I am sure you will do your part, I hope the 
people over whom you preside will do their's. 

I most sincerely congratulate you on the happy reduction 
of Canada which has set the hands of Government at liberty 
in that quarter of the World. I think our affairs in other 
parts wear a favorable aspect; particularly in the East 
Indies, where we are strong, and the French are become 
weak. Even in Germany, Superiority of numbers has not 
given the Enemy superiority of Success ; which I hope will be 
evident and declared on our side before the Troops go into 
Winter Quarters. I wish the result of our good fortune may 
be a speedy and honourable peace; but I rather wish than 
expect it soon. 

Some time before I receiv'd your Letter, my Brother Shute 
put me in a way of serving my Cousin & Godson. The Duke 
of Newcastle at my desire, wrote to the Dean of Christ Church, 
whose answer to His Grace leaves me no room to doubt of 
your Son's success next Election. 

I am also to return you many thanks for your Letter of 
the 23"^ of August, and the papers enclosed therewith. 

All your friends here are extremly well, and send you their 
best compliments; General Barrington particularly, who 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 145. 



1 8 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

serves at present on the Staff in Scotland, has entirely re- 
cover 'd the use of his Eye. We all join in compliments to 
M"^^ Barnard. I am with the greatest truth & regard, 
Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 

most obedient Servant 
Barrington 

His Excellency 

Francis Barnard Esq' 



GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON i 

Boston Aug".* 9*^ 1760 
My Lord 

A few hours after I sent away my letter dated the 7*^^ to 
your Lordship, I rec*^ advice of the death of Lieut GovF De- 
lancy I have wrote Lord Halifax of this event, as it is possible 
this Ship may arrive before one from N York. I think it is 
also propper to advertise your Lordship of this ; but without 
any View to myself ; as I am sens ble that I ought to show 
my self worthy of the late favours shown to me before I 
solicit others; But if your Lordship should have any friend 
Apply for it, I would acquaint him that I believe, that Gov- 
ernment is fully rated at -^iSoo sterling ^ an ^1000 of which 
must be expended even with Oconomy 

I am &c 
Lord Barrington 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 274. 



COURSE OF THE WAR 19 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston August 23. 1760 
My Lord 

In the Cover with this I inclose a duplicate of a letter I 
sent, soon after the time of its date, by the Ship Brittannia 
Cap* Dash wood bound from this port to London : since 
which business has gone on extreamly well. What passed 
between the Assembly & me will appear from the following 
papers, which I take the liberty to enclose. To these I have 
only to add that the Assembly made the usual Grants viz 
^975 Sterling for the Salary of the current Year (of which 
near a quarter was spent) & ^225 sterling for the Charges of 
Removal. This was done with a uncommon unanimity ; and 
this bill passed both houses & received the Assent in one day. 

On the 14th Cap* Stott of the Scarbrough brought to 
me Dispatches from England that came in the Vengeance 
Man of War: among these was a letter from your Lordship 
to Genl Amherst & another to Col. Amherst they were imme- 
diately dispatched for Albany: the Messenger that carried 
them is returned & brings advice that on the 7th inst Col. 
Amherst went from Oswego with the Vanguard ; on the 10*'* 
Gen! Amherst with the main body; & on y* 11*'' Brig Gage 
with the rear : The Numbers were not ascertained. Also 
that on the 11*'' Col. Haviland went down lake Champlan 
with 3000 Regulars & 2500 provincials. It is apprehended 
they will meet with Opposition at the Isle des Noix 

This day a Sloop arrived from Quebeck, which she left on 
the 26*^ of July : the Master brings advice that on the 13**^ 
Gen! Murray sailed up the River with 2500 regulars & left 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 275. 



20 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

looo ^ more in Quebec that about the 23 a Schooner arrived 
with an Account that two forts had fired up on his fleet & 
killed an Officer & 5 or 6 men : and that the forts were after- 
wards abandoned : that he had met with no other opposition, 
the People in general submitting & giving up their Arms. 
He adds that he met the two Regiments from Louisburg at 
the lies de Coudre : they had been at sea 3 Weeks. 

From all these we expect very intresting advises Soon : 
and I hope I shall have occasion to congratulate your Lord- 
ship before I seal this letter. We wish we could with as 
great probality flatter our selves with seeing Cap^ Barrington, 
who we understand is arrived at Louisburg. 

I am my Lord 

Your Lordships &c 
R^ honble L Visct. Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 2 

Boston sep'' 9. 1760 
My Lord 

I wrote to your Lordship ten days ago enclosing some 
favourable accounts of the progress of his Majesty's forces 
against Montreal, which I sent by the Brigantine Bristol 
Packet. I have this day received by Express early advices 
of the further success of the Army, which seem to leave room 
but for one ace' more. I have therefore engaged a Brig to 
Sail directly with an Accout of these dispatches, which I 
have enclosed in a cover to the Secretary of state the same 
which your Lordship will receive with this. 

I heartily congratulate your Lordship on this Occasion, & 

' Followed by "in Garison," then crossed o£f. 

2 "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 278. 



SURRENDER OF MONTREAL 21 

hope it will not be long before the last congratulations on the 
Military success in N America will come to your hand. I am 
my Lord. 

Your Lordships most &c 
&c &c &c 
R!^ Honble Lv Viscount Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Sep^ 17. 1760 
My Lord 

I have now the pleasure to congratulate your Lordship on 
the reduction of all Canada by the Surrender of Montreal on 
the 8'^'^ inst. The french abandoned all their out Posts, but 
one which Gen! Amherst invested & took, & gathered all 
their forces together at Montreal to the Amount (according 
to their Account) of 13000 men : who surrendered prisoners 
of War on the approach of the three british Armies, a&, as 
I understand, before their junction was completed As this 
advice is come from Montreal in 9 days We cannot expect 
particulars : but from what I can learn, there have not been 
100 men lost in all the expeditions, I Shall enclose Copies of 
the letters I have red 

I am my Lord 

&C&C 

R^ hontte JJ Barrington not sent 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 280. This letter was crossed 
out in the Ms., and was probably not sent. 



22 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON* 

Boston Sep 29. 1760 
My Lord 

I beg leave to congratulate your Lordship on the surrender 
of all Canada. I received the advice on the 17'^'' but 9 days 
after the capitulation ; & immediately engaged a Vessel to 
sail away with the account; for which purpose I wrote to 
your Lordship to M' Secretary Pitt & to the Lords of trade 
inclosing copies of the letters to me. But having been dis- 
appointed in that Vessel & also in another I afterwards en- 
gaged for the same purpose, I cannot propose now to hasten 
the advice of this glorious event. Nevertheless least the 
Diana who is charged with this account should meet with 
any acident, I have thought proper to take the opportunity 
of a Vessel that is sailing for Glascow to enclose to your 
Lordship the News papers of the day, which includes among 
other things the substance of the Genl's letters to me. 

I am 
Lord Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 2 

Boston January 17. 1761 
My Lord 

I am favoured with yours of the 1$^^ of October which like 
every other adds much to my Obligations to Your Lordship. 
I beg through your hands to return my thanks to M' Shute 
Barrington for his concern for my son. I have had that 
business so much at heart, especially as I had rec^ advice 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 282. ^ Ibid., p. 292. 



MONEY MATTERS 23 

that there would be great intrest made on that Occasion, 
that I have been unnecessarily troublesome to your Lordship, 
having then rec^ Advice that a Ship which Carried a letter 
to your Lordship, was taken & not knowing then that my 
second Venture had escaped. 

I have received advice from MT Bollan the Agent for this 
Province that he has had full & proper Assurance that my 
Commission will be renewed. As I am undoubtly indebted 
to your Lordship for this repeated favor I must beg leave to 
return your Lordship my Particular thanks for my being 
continued in his Majestys service. And at the same time I 
must beg leave to state my present case, as it is very singular, 
without any imputation to the gratefull sense I have of the 
unmerited honor that has been conferred upon me. 

It is no uncommon thing for a man's purse to be impaired 
by perferment coming too fast upon him : I remember to 
have read of a Bishop's being undone by too frequent trans- 
lations. — My case is as uncommon as I suppose that of Any 
one whatsoever : I shall have had three Commissions within 
the space of 3 Years ; the two latter will I suppose be within 
the space of one Year. The fees of a Commission are not 
less than ^400 : I have now before me an account of the fees 
of my first Commission to the amount of "^390, tho it does not 
include all. So that by this time I suppose I shall have P^ 
^1200 in fees, & I shall have received from New Jersey 2 Years 
at ^800, ^1600 & I Year from Boston including the whole of 
the Current Year to the End of May next iioo, total ^2700, 
ded^ ^1200 remains 1500 Thus my public account would 
stand, according to which I Should have ^500 a Year for my 
3 Years service. But when I apply my private Account to 
this I find it more against me. I expended in fitting myself 

1 Probably meant for " deduct." 



24 BARRINGTON-BERNAKD CORRESPONDENCE 

out at least -^1600, including my fees, which may be thus 
divided : fees ^400, Expences of Voyage ^300 Expences of 
Journeys, carriage & living in London & Portsmouth ^300 
Cloaths Equipage & other trapings of Government "^600 So 
that adding the three last articles to the former one of fees 
I have Expended in the whole ^2400 in qualifying myself for 
these Governments. There are two articles that may be 
added to my receipt ; the Gratuities received at my accession 
which were at New Jersey ^300 at Boston ^225. These are 
give towards the Expence of removing 81 settling; & con- 
sidering that against this be sett the extraordinary expence 
of two settlings & one removal, they will go far to Answer 
both, But supposing the least of the sums will Answer these 
Extraordinary expences, my Account will stand thus. 

C' The Expences of fitting out &c 1200 D^ the 3 Years income 2700 

The fees of 3 Commissions 1200 The Jersey Gratuity _2 

1400^ 3000 

After this I need not say that after 3 Years service I have not 
got a step forward towards retrieving my first Expence : & 
this is not owing to any miscalculation mismanagement or 
disappointment but only to the uncommon accident of having 
so many Commissions to sue out in so short a time. 

Pardon me my Good Lord for being so explicit on this 
subject : It is only to apologise for a request (as I have too 
often occasion to do) which I have to make that your Lord- 
ship would be so good to advise Mr Pownal to whom I have 
wrote on this Subject whether it may not be proper to petition 
the Lords of the treasury for a grant on this uncommon 
occasion ; to what may be urged in my favor on this Subject, 
may be added my Service at the Indian treaty at Easton, 
which produced immediately the surrender of Pittsburg & 
2 This is a mistake for 2400, but the manuscript is clearly 1400. 



PROVISION FOR CHILDREN 25 

soon after the entire reconcilation of the 6 Nations. I have 
learnt to set a value upon this service, from the great Com- 
pliments I have rec^ on this Occasion; but never expected a 
particular reward nor should have mentioned it in that light 
otherwise than a make weight to another request. If their 
Lordships of the treasury will be pleased to grant me ^800 
(being the fees of two Commissions) they will amply reward 
me ; if they will grant me ^500 or 400 I Shall be quite satisfied 
& thankfuU. If this Applicasion Should be approved of, I 
have desired Mf Pownall to communicate this request to my 
Lord Halifax, but I did not care to write to him my self, till 
I was better satisfied about the reasonableness & practability 
of my request. 

I am 
Lord Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON » 

Boston Mar 3. 1761 
My Lord 

As I am well assured that all my honest endeavours to 
provide for my children will have your Lordships approba- 
tion, & assistance too, when it shall be advisable, I need make 
no Apology for the enclosed. It is the Copy of a memorial 
which I have sent to M"' Pownall to be laid before my Lord 
Halifax : at the same time I wrote to my Lord to desire his 
favorable acceptance of it. And I now am to desire your 
Lordships kind interposition on behalf of my request, which 
is sufficiently explained in the memorial. 

I think, I have before informed your Lordship, that I con- 
sidered the opportunities I should have of placing out my 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 302. 



26 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Sons among the chief advantages arising from my removal to 
Boston, This Government the worst supported, considering 
its importance & trouble, of any in the Kings gift, in its cer- 
tain income does not exceed New Jersey by more than ^300, 
which is not much more than the difference of the expence 
of living at one & the other. The opportunities of placing 
out my Sons now I survey them, I find but few : the Naval 
office is much the best & is an handsome provision for a per- 
son that executes it himself. 

Your Lordsliip will recollect that I've before intimated my 
desire to have my eldest son settled in business in England : 
and I do not now mean to determine against it. But it must 
be observed that His appointment is to be partly reversionary : 
and We may have 5 years before We shall be obliged to deter- 
mine. If in that time, He should have an opportunity of 
engaging in better business, he may quit this office to my 
second son, who will then be of full age & well qualified for 
the office. The latter I am now going to put to a Merchant 
in this town, having given him as much school learning as 
the Way of live he is designed for will require. 

As my two eldest Sons are so much further advanced in 
life than the rest of my children. It is much my desire to see 
them well settled in life. For then I shall have provided 
natural guardians for the rest of my children, in case I should 
be called away. For this reason I shall in general, prefer 
such means for their advancement as are capable of the 
quickest Maturity. The subject of my present request will 
fully answer that purpose for one of them. 

I am 
Lord Barrington. 



MONEY MATTERS 27 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD * 

Cavendish Square 6*'' June 1761. 
Dear Sir 

I have received so many different letters from you & at so 
many different times, that I am at a loss which to answer 
first : but, I must begin, previously to every thing else, with 
entreating you to pardon my long silence, which admits of 
no excuse : I will not attempt any, but throw myself entirely 
on your indulgence, and hasten to Subjects less disagreable & 
disgraceful to me. 

I am happy to find that Boston continues agreable to you 
& M" Bernard. It is very convenient that Governors should 
be satisfied where they are, since a removal is so very expen- 
sive. I have made enquiries whether any allowance could 
be made by the Government here in consideration of the 
expence you have been at, and particularly of the enormous 
fees paid on the passing of your Patents. I have talk'd 
to the Duke of Newcastle on this Subject, but I find 
nothing can be obtain'd; whatever is paid on such 
occasions, must come out of the Civil List, a fund consider- 
ably lessened by the King's moderation when it was settled, 
and his bounty since : besides great apprehensions of the 
danger of making a precedent. I should think your best 
way would be, to get your case properly represented to the 
Assembly. 

I lost no time in solliciting the business contain'd in your 
Letter of the 3*^ of March; and my endeavours should not 
have been spared, if I had found a possibility of success; 
but the Office was renewed before Lord Halifax left the 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol ix (Correspondence), p. 209. 



28 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Board of Trade, and he had left it near a month before I 
received your Letter on this subject. 

In a former Letter I returned you my best thanks, and 
my brother's, for the kind present of excellent Fish which 
you sent us ; I take leave to repeat my acknowlegments for 
it, and for every other mark of your remembrance. 

Monsieur Bussy the French Minister, arrived here a few 
days since, and he is treating the British part of the general 
peace, with our Ministers : hitherto that negociation has not 
made any great progress ; but, I have good hopes this Summer 
will not pass over without giving that repose to Europe, to 
which it has now been too long a Stranger. We expect every 
day to receive an account of the reduction of Belleisle. 

We are all extremely obliged to M^ Bernard for her kind 
remembrance of us, and we all join in our best compliments 
to her and you. I am with great truth & regard 
Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most humble & 

most obedient Servant 

Barrington 

His Excellency 
Governor Bernard 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 29 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON/ 

Boston. June 6, 1761 
My Lord 

I take the first oppertunity to congratulate your Lordship 
on your advancement to the treasury, which as it adds to 
your Dignity, will, I presume, also contribute to your ease ; 
at least, in comparison to your former Employ, I must also 
beg the favor of your Lordships Mediation, to present Our 

CompHments to Mf Sh. Barrington & Lady Diana, & 

to assure them that we wish them all possible happiness; 
which We persuade ourselves, that We can, without running 
any risk of being thought false prophets, allmost positively 
assure to them. 

I wrote to your Lordship the beginning of March last on 
the Subject of the Naval Ofl&ce of this province, desiring your 
Lordships Assistance to get Executed an agreement between 
me & MF Pemberton to get a Grant of that ofiice (by sign 
Manual) to him & my Eldest son Jointly. Whilst we were 
sending these papers from hence, A sign Manual of the Office 
to him alone passed at London & was received by him to day. 
He is notwithstanding, desirous not to carry this into execu- 
tion, but to wait for the Joint Appointment, which we have 
requested. He is wiUing that the Governor should be more 
intrested in the Office than he has hitherto been, being sen- 
sible that it will turn out to his advantage so as to ober balance 
the concssions made to my son. He has therefore proposed to 
let the present Sign Manual He dormant, in Expectation of 
another according to our Joint request 

As this business is now become only an affair of consent of 
parties, I hope there will be no great Difficulty in it: The 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. i (Letter Book), p. 313. 



30 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

settlement of it upon the terms proposed, altho' of no imme- 
diate advantage to my family, I consider as a considerable 
Security in Case of Accident. 

I have many things to write to your Lordship upon : which 
I wont anticipate : as sufficient to the letter is the trouble 
thereof. 

I am with the greatest gratitude & respect, 
The R!^ Honble Lord Viscount Barrington.) My Lord &c 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON i 

Boston Aug^*^ lo. 1761 
My Lord 

When I first arrived at This Town I received from your 
Lordship a recommendation of M'' Barrens Collector of this 
Port ; upon which I assured him that I should take a pleas- 
ure in obeying your Lordships commands by serving him I 
soon found that the best service I could do him would be to 
advise him concerning his public conduct ; & the duty of 
my Office making it quite necessary, I was soon given to 
understand that I had so far incurred his displeasure, as to 
be thought deser\dng a formal opposition to me & my Govern- 
ment. The injuries and insults I have received from him & 
his party make apart of a long story which has been already 
communicated to Lord HaHf ax & Secretary Pownall ; & must 
now if it has not Already, be made public. 

I should not have troubled your Lordship on this Subject 
if It could have been avoided. But M Lechmere the Sur- 
veyor General having Suspended Mf Barrons from his Office, 
& having sent away the articles exhibited against him together 
the proofs taken in support of them, as also some fresh charges 
1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 2. 



TEE BARRON S INCIDENT 31 

to the commisioners of the Customs; & having prepared 
another set for the Lords of the Treasury I find this business 
must come before your Lordship in your public character ; 
& therefore beg leave to use the access your Lordships has 
allowed me to have to your private station 

I have wrote so much upon this subject that I am quite 
tired of it ; but if I was ever so much disposed to write on, I 
could not give your Lordship a better information of the 
part I have acted, than by the copies inclosed. The I is a 
Copy of my declaration by way of Evidence, which is among 
the proofs. The II is a Copy of a letter I wrote to Lord H. 
As this contains little more than plain Narrative, I presume 
I am not wrong in sending this Copy to your Lordship. If 
there is any danger of my being blamed for it, your Lordship 
will keep it to your self. The III is a copy of a letter I now 
write to the Lords of trade. The subject matter would have 
made it more properly addressed to the Lords of the treasury, 
if the regulation of My Correspondence had not directed me 
to apply myself to the Lords of Trade, your Lordship will 
consider this as designed only ior your own private informa- 
tion, untill It shall be formally transmitted from the board 
of trade. Among the papers sent by Mr Lechmere (Copies 
of which I have sent to the board of trade) you will find agood 
deal more matter than what I now trouble your Lordship 
with. 

Ever since the commencement of these disturbances which 
is now near 12 months I have been ready & desirous to take 
hold of every oppertunity that offered to compose these 
troubles but have not been able to do any thing towards it 
The defence of my self & my Authority as well as of the 
Court of Admiralty & the Custom house, has found me full 
employment. 



32 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

A few weeks ago some Gentlemen applied to me in behalf 
of M"^ Barrons, desiring I would intervene in his favor, I 
told them that the actions he had brought against Mr Lech- 
mere M"^ Craddock & Mr Paxton were such open acts of his 
setting at defiance the King Authority under which he was 
placed by his office, that I could do him no service, whilst he 
persisted in maintaining them, but If he would withdraw 
them, I would waive all resentment, of my own, (altho' some 
injuries I then mentioned them were Very fresh) & imme- 
diately treat with them about what could be done for MF 
Barrons. They used their endeavours to persuade him to 
comply with this preliminary, but could not prevail 

It has been no small part of my Concern at being thus 
embrangled in this dispute, that It may tend to impeach a 
Character which I have borne thro all my life & which I own 
I am proud of, that of a good natured Man. I very much 
regret that the unreasonable Man has made the censuring 
him necessary to my defence & part of my duty. Without 
these considerations I could wish him all the good he desires : 
I heartily wish he had a place of twice the Value any where 
else : and I have often wished that I could consistently with 
my duty reccommend his being restored to & continued in 
this. But I dare not make my self answerable for such a 
representation : the same prejudices passions & connexions 
that I have had so much reason to complain of, still seem to 
prevail. 

I shall take the first oppertunity to lay before your Lord- 
ship a state of the Custom house in this and the Neighbour- 
ing Governments ; from whence will plainly appear the Causes 
which have induced the Merchants of this port to be less dis- 
posed to Obey the Laws of Trade than they have hitherto 
been. The Remedies for these inconveniences will be very 



MONEY MATTERS 33 

obvious & I hope as practicable ; & like to be attended with 
very good consequences. But this I must defer to a further 
time. 

The R^ Honble 1 I am with great respect, 

The Lord Visc!^ Barringtonj My Lord your Lordship's & 

&c &c 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONJ 

Boston August 28. 1761 
My Lord 

I am extreamly obliged to your Lordship for you kind 
letter of the 6*'' of June : whilst I return my thanks I must 
again apologise for the trouble I gave your Lordship on 
account of the fees. I was very diffident of the propriety of 
the application & trusted more to your Lordships Benignity 
than I depended on the Singularity of the Case; which 
pehaps may still have some weight, when your Lordship's 
kind attention to us shall favor some other request. I men- 
tioned to your Lordship before how Very inequal the Income 
of this Government was to its business & importance, with 
a View to excuse my self for being so SoHcitous for providing 
for my Sons by places. To come to particulars, the Salary 
is 1. 000 the fees at most 100, to which if the Annual Value 
of the Governor's house is reckoned (which would be highly 

estimated at 100) the Government is worth at the most 

1200 a year. As for the share of seizures which, if the Author- 
ity of the Custom house is maintained, would be worth reckon- 
ing, in the present state of the Custom house. It is a profit 
neither to be expected nor wished for. Nevertheless I can 
Assure your Lordship that I am quite pleased with my being 
1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 4. 



34 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

placed here, as the advantages I may hope to gain for my 
Children will make good the deficiency of the income. 

For these reasons I hope your Lordship will excuse me, if 
I still wait in expectation of a favourable Event to my request 
concerning the Naval Office. I wrote to your Lordship on 
this Subject the very day of the date of your Lordships letter 
now before me, wherein I informed, that M": Pemberton had 
received a sign Manual, yet he was very willing to let it lye 
by to give me an opportunity to procure another in the manner 
I have proposed, being still desirous that our Agreement 
should be carried into Execution. I added that as this 
business seemed to be an affair of consent of parties, I hoped 
it would meet with no difficulty. That there may be no 
doubt in M' Pemberton' s behalf, he proposes to write to M^ 
Pitt to acquaint him that he has not put in execution the 
former Sign Manual & is very willing that another should 
be issued in the Manner I have desired. I shall write a short 
letter to Mr Pitt my self, which I beg leave to inclose to your 
Lordship to be delivered to him or not as your Lordship shall 
Judge fit.^ My pretentions to this favor will be more effectu- 
ally represented by your Lordships than they can by me. 
I hope the expectation of the place after M^ Pemberton's 
death will not be thought of any great Value as to be opposed 
to my request ; for I can Assure your Lordship that his health 
& Vigour promises many more years. 

M^ Pemberton has brought me a letter from him to Mf 
Pitt, as also one to your Lordship. He has acted with great 
Candor in this Affair ; and I think my self obhged to him what 
ever the Event is. 
I am with great gratitude & respect, 

My Lord Your Lordships &c. 
The R^ Honble the Lord Viscount Barrington) 

1 First written "think fit." 



MONEY MATTERS 35 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Castle William Sep 27. 1761 
My Lord 

Last night I red your Lordships favor ^ of the ii"" of July 
as also the duplicate of that of the 6'^ of June, the original of 
which I have received some time ago. Upon the receipt of 
the former of the 6'^*' of June, I had a conversation with Mr 
Pemberton ; when (observing to him, that tho' he had sig- 
nified his consent to a joint patent by many letters wrote 
before he knew that a sign manual was issued to him alone, 
yet since that, He had only Signified such consent by a letter 
to M' Alderman Baker, & that probally W. Pitt would 
Expect a letter to himself) He wrote a letter to MF Pitt 
for that purpose ; ^ which together with another from MF 
Pemberton to your Lordship, one of mine to your Lordship, 
another to Mr Pitt & a Copy of the memorial which I before 
sent to your Lordship, I enclosed in one cover & sent it en- 
closed again in a large packet to the Lords of Trade by the 
Chesterfield Man of War Cap Scaife, The Captain himself 
took it in charge & sailed for England sep'. 3. This contains 
all the papers required by your Lordship in your last, & as 
they go by a 50 Gun ship, I hope no inconvenience will arise 
from my not having provided duplicates. 

1 was very sorry to find myself obHged to trouble your Lord- 
ship with the papers contained in another cover sent by the 
same conveyance, relating to the contest between the Mer- 
chants & the Custom house, But as this business must inavoid- 
ably come before your board, I thought it would be agreeable 
to your Lordship to have some preuious knowledge of the Affair 
I propose soon to write to your Lordship on the subject of the 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 11. 

2 First written "letter." * First written "subject." 



36 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

present state of the trade of this Country, possibly to more 
purpose than giving details of Custom house Squabbles. 

I have not the honor of being personally known to M' 
Pitt: and it was my misfortune to be prevented paying my 
duty to him in person, before I left England, by his indis- 
position, I should think a great honour, if your Lordship 
would reccommend my service to him. My previous Studies 
in England & my attention to the Kings Service in N America, 
have induced me ^ to turn my thoughts upon the political 
state of this country,- to which my different stations have not 
a little assisted.^ If after a peace a general disquisition of 
the constitutions of the several Governments here, — should 
take place as it is much expected, I should be very proud to 
be of the least use in such a work. 

I have received a letter from my son wherein he acknowl- 
edges his negligence in not waiting on your Lordship before 
he went to Oxford. I hope your Lordship will excuse the in- 
advertency of youth: I persuade myself that he has not 
ingratitude in his nature however his carelessness may make 
him appear so. 

I beg your Lordship will make our Compliments to the 
ladies & all our friends acceptable. I am with the utmost grati- 
tude & respect. My Lord your Lordships most obedient &c 

PS If a sign Manual should be prepared, 
I must desire your Lordship will give 
notice to W^ Bollan Esq in Liecester Square 
to sue it out, pay the fees & transmit it. 
I shall write to him on the occasion 

R* Honble Lord Visct Barrington 

* First written "have given me great opportunities.' 

* First written " the several provinces." 
' Followed by "me," then crossed ofE. 



END OF BARRONS 37 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square 12*'' Dec' 1761. 
Dear Sir 

I have received two very large Packets from you, one con- 
cerning M'' Baron, the other relating to the appUcation made 
by you and M' Pemberton. As to the first, I have the pleas- 
ure to acquaint you that M'' Baron is turn'd out with the 
entire approbation of the Treasury, Board of Trade & Customs. 
The latter has, been directed by the former to send as Suc- 
cessor to M*^ Baron, the very best Ofl&cer they can find within 
their Department. 

I have strongly recommended the other affair to Lord 
Egremont M"^ Pitt's Successor, to whom I have dehvered the 
Letters for M"^ Pitt, transmitted to me. His Lordship is very 
well disposed, and I make very little doubt of your request 
being granted ; but I could not get things brought to a con- 
clusion before the departure of this Packet. I have delayed 
this letter till the last day, in hopes of sending you some good 
news, and I am now so busy that I cannot answer at present 
the most obliging letter from M"^ Bernard for which I beg 
you will make her my best acknowlegments together with 
my best compliments, in which all my family join. I can 

only add that I am 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellencys 
most humble & 
most obedient Servant. 
His Excellency Barrington. 

Governor Bernard 
at Boston New England 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 233. 



38 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 
My Lord Boston Oct 20. i 761 

The Cover of this encloses the duplicate of a Letter I 
wrote to your Lordship on the 27*^ of Sep'^'' the day after 
I rec^ your favor of the 1 1**" of July : the Original is on board 
the General Wall packet boat, which sailed from NYork. 

The time between my receiveing your Lordships Letter & 
dispatching my Answer to it would not afford an oppertunity 
of seeing M^ Pemberton But upon my talking with him soon 
after & shewing to him that possibly M- Pitt may expect a 
more formal signification of his consent, than what his letter 
contained, it was agreed to transmit to your Lordship a 
duplicate of the agreement with an addition thereto signify- 
ing M^ Pembertons still adhering thereto This I now en- 
close & must now conclude this, uncertain whether I shall be 
able to write to your Lordship on other Subjects by the same 
ship waites only for wind. I am with great respect 

My Lord your Lordships 
R*^ honble Lord Vis* Barrington) 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Dear Sir Cavendish Square 14*'' January 1762 

I was in hopes by this Packet to have given you an account 
that the affair between you and M"^ Pemberton, had been 
settled in the manner desired; and I know that Lord Egre- 
mont both from his willingness to oblige, and his long unin- 
terrupted friendship for me, was very much disposed to do it. 
I now find he has scruples which cannot be removed; they 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. i6. 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. ix (Correspondence), p. 245. 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 39 

regard two points : One is, the making a joint Grant ; The 
other, your Son's being under age. He has promised me, 
that when time has remov'd the last objection, he will, in 
case he then holds the Seals, give the Employment to your 
Son, the moment it becomes vacant, either by death, resig- 
nation or otherwise. I am sorry the thing has not succeeded 
but I cannot think Lord Egremont in the wrong, tho' perhaps 
there may be precedents the other way. His Lordship has 
promised to write me a Letter on this Subject, which may be 
of use hereafter with his Successor in case he should not hold 
the Seals three years hence. In a former Letter, I acquainted 
you with the removal of M*^ Barones, but I think I did not 
add that he was removed entirely in consequence of repre- 
sentations from the Boards of Trade & Customs. I never 
said one word upon the Subject, which I thought would be 
unfair on account of my relation to you. 

I am to return you a thousand thanks for the Fish you so 
obligingly sent me, and to M''^ Bernard for the instructions I 
have received from her, as to the manner of dressing it: I 
beg you will present my best comphments to her. I intended 
to have wrote an answer to her most obliging Letter, but as 
I write to you, it would be an unnecessary trouble to her. 

I hope in the course of this Summer, I shall be able to pre- 
vail on your Son to come sometimes to Beckett. My Brother 
Shute has had the good fortune to get a Cannoncy of Christ 
Church, which I hope will not be a disadvantage to Our 
Cousin. All your friends are well & present their comp? to 
you & M^ Bernard. I am with the greatest truth & regard. 
Dear Sir 

Your Excellencys 
His Excellency Most faithful 

Governor Bernard humble Servant Barrington 



40 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON » 

Boston Dec^ 14. 1761. 
My Lord 

I am favoured with your Lordships of the 28*^^ of August. 
The trouble I have given your Lordship about the Naval 
Office has been greatly increased by the d fficulties w*".^ attend 
explanations at a distance: for it has more than once hap- 
pened that your Lordships letters & mine on the same subject 
have crossed the sea about the same time & possibly before 
Irec^ this last your Lordship may have found in my Letters 
matter sufficient to remove the difl&culties which this affair 
has laboured under. 

I wrote to your Lordship by the Chesterfield man of War 
inclosing all necessary papers with Letters from M' Pemberton 
for your Lordship & MF Pitt. I wrote again by the packet 
Boat which Sailed in Oct?' last; & I sent a duplicate of the 
last letter (together with a duplicate of the agreement with 
MF Pemberton & a supplement to it signifying his consent 
to the new grant as proposed) by the Lucretia Snow I also 
sent another part of the agreement by the Adventure Snow 
So I apprehend that your Lordship has all necessary pappers 
now by you. 

As for Objections against an appointment in joint Names, 
I was always aware of them & endeavoured to obviate them 
in my Memorial, which I suppose MF Pitt had not seen when 
he made the objections. My arguments in favor of ajoint 
appointment arise from the ofl&ce having usually been granted 
so, for which I alledged the appointment immediately preceed- 
ing Mr Pembertons which was to two. And I understand 
that in all public offices in London where there has been an 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. i8. 



TEE NAVAL OFFICE 41 

usuage of granting to two, an office may be granted to one or 
two at pleasure. For this there are frequent precedents in 
the Custom house Exchequer Chancery &. 

I believe I have not mentioned the reason of my being so 
desirous of having this Affair settled in a public way. I know 
very well that reversionary promises of Offices in America 
are now very much solicited I have particular advice that 
there are some people in pursuit of this very office, and I can 
form to my self no adequate Security against a surprise but 
an Actual Grant. A Promise of the Secretary of State extends 
only to himself ; and if it is not to be executed till MF Pem- 
bertons death, the office probably will be in anothers dis- 
posal, at that time : to guard against which it will be necessary 
to make a fresh appUcation whenever there is a Change in 
the Secretarys Office. 

As my Son is to have no intrest in the Office till sep 1764 
I could have no objection to letting the Office, continue, as 
it is, to that time if my life 8: Continuance in this Govern- 
ments were certain & if this delay would remove the difficul- 
ties now started, But in regard to the first, the Number of my 
Children makes me desirous of leaving as little to the hazard 
of my life as I can ^ And as to the latter, the same difficulties 
will remain, if they can not be obviated now If a Joint 
appointment should be thought exceptionable then I shall 
not be able to contrive an appointment to one that will answer 
my purpose. For If Mt Pemberton is to be the Grantee' it 
will give me no power over nor much dependance upon the 
reversion. And if I should ask M^ Pemberton to let my Son 
be the Grante'e I know not what Security I could give him to 
indemnify him if my son should die before him. Besides, I 
have thought it advisable to press the dispatch of this business 
' First written "possible," then changed to "I can." 



42 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

now, because as M' Pemberton's Age & health are now, The 
Reversion of his Office is of Httle or no Value to the present 
Secretary of state, But as his Age increases & his health im- 
pairs, the Reversion will become an object of much more 
Value than it is at present, & therefore more hard to obtain. 

I have another reason to desire that the grant may be 
made in the Manner requested which is that it willput an end 
to your Lordships trouble, which has already been more ex- 
tended than I flattered my self it would be when I first made 
the Application, which I considered to amount only to this, 
for leave to make such a grant of the Office as my predecessors 
have been used to make, with the consent of the present pos- 
sessor of the Office M^ Pemberton has been so good as to allow 
me to defer the issuing his patent as long as I shall see occasion. 
I shall therefore wait untill the papers I sent by the Chester- 
field &c shall have had their Effect. 

I have the highest sense of your Lordships continued favor 
& Am with great respect My Lord 

Viscount Barrington Your Lordship most obedient &c 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON i 

Boston Dec 15. 1761 
My Lord 

In a letter dated yesterday I acknowledged the receipt of 
your Lordships of Aug 28 & have therein submitted to your 
Lordship all that occurrs to me to be wanting for the deter- 
mination of that affair : to which I need only add that any 
resolution on the subject will be agreeable to me, as it must, 
at all events, afford a fresh instance of your Lordships kind 
concern for me & mine. I can truly assure your Lordship 
1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 21. 



REFORMATIONS 43 

that your friendship is the cordial of my life & contributes 
more than any thing else (except my own conscience) to 
support that Spirit & Resolution, which the due exertion of 
the powers that are here committed to me, requires. My 
friends in this Country find another advantage from my con- 
nexion with your Lordship : they say that your Lordships 
family has been allways the patrons of this Country; (for 
at the present the Memory of Gov' Shute is truly honoured), 
and there it is happy for it that it has now the Means of an 
easy access to your Lordship. 

In a former letter of the 2f^ of Sept last I desired your 
Lordships general recommendation of me to M"^ Pitt: I must 
now request the like introduction of me to Lord Egremont. 
I presumed to think that when a Revisal & settlement of the 
political state of N America should have a place in the British 
Councils, I might possibly be of some service. This self- 
flattery has not had its rise from any extraordinary opinion 
I have of my own abiUty, but upon a reflexion upon the 
particular circumstances of Hterature & professional standing 
that have directed & enabled me to make a more critical 
survey of the poHticks of N America, than can be expected 
from the generaHty of those that are sent here with a pubHc 
Character. 

But the time of peace, which must preceed the regulation 
of the North American governments, seems now at a greater 
distance than ever. Never the less, as they may happen in 
the course of this Winter a change in the present intractabil- 
ity of our Enemies which may bring about a peace, when it is 
least expected, I will add a few more Hnes to what I have 
before wrote on this Subject 

There is in my opinion no System of Government in N 
America that is fit to be made a module of. The royal 



44 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Governments are faulty in their constitution as well as the 
popular ; of late they have given more instances of it than 
the latter. If therefore there should be a new establishment 
of the governments in N America upon a true English- 
constitutional bottom, it must be upon a new plan : and upon 
the formation of it will depend all the Ease or Difficulty of 
the Work. 

It will be readily apprehended that the greatest difficulty 
will be with the New England charter Governments. I am 
willing to admit this for the sake of the conclusion that follows 
from it. But I do not think there will be much difficulty in 
the New England Governments ; and yet will readily conclude ^ 
that upon such a supposition it will be best to begin with those 
Governments. In Rhode Island the sensible people neither 
expect nor desire that their charter should be continued. In 
Connecticut I have heard it frequently mentioned without 
contradiction that it would be better for the people & most 
agreeable to the thinking part of them to have a royal Governor 
rather than the present elective one. And for this Province ; 
its constitution by charter & its strict observance of the 
stipulations contained therein on behalf of the royal preroga- 
tive, make it, in my opinion, better disposed to a more perfect 
estabhshment than any Government I am acquainted with, 
either Royal or other. I therefore conclude that when ever 
a New establishment of Government in N America shall be 
thought advisable. New England is the proper place to begin in 

Whenever this subject shall be brought on the tapis I must 
again repeat I shall be proud to offer my Service. If It 
should be accepted, I shall readily obey an order to attend 
in person. In such case that there may be as little loss of my 
emoluments here as possible. It would be advisable that the 

1 First written "admit." 



REFORMATIONS 45 

order might be so timed, as not to be known here, till after 
time of settling the support of Government which is in the 
beginning of June in each year. In a letter, which I hope to 
send to your Lordship on the subject of the trade & Customs 
of this Country, I shall have occasion to mention some 
particulars that may be of great service to the regulation of 
the American Governments whenever it shall be undertaken : 
tho' according to our last advices from Europe, these consid- 
erations seem to be ill timed, 
a paragraph on Gen' Whitmore's death & funeral 
A paragraph on the Voyage to Newfoundland. 

I am &c 
Lord Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Jan 12. 1762 
My Lord 

The packet which is to enclose this having been detained 
beyond expectation, I find my self obHged to add another 
letter upon a subject with which I hoped I should not have 
had occasion to trouble y'' Ldshp again I mean M Barons. 

In my letter of Aug 10 sent by the Chesterfield Man of War, 
I acquainted your Lordship that some Gentlemen had appUed 
to me in behalf of M"^ Barons desiring I would intervene in his 
favour. I told them that^ the Actions he had brought against 
the Surveyor general &c were such open acts of his setting at 
defiance the Kings Authority that I could do him no service 
whilst he persisted in them : but if he would with draw them 
I would immediately enter into a consideration of what could 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 24. 
* Followed by "if," then crossed off. 



46 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

be done for him. They urged their endeavours to persuade 
him to comply with this preliminary, but could not prevail 
& thereupon gave over their Negotiation. I can only add that 
it was then my intention, if he would have given Any proof 
of his disposition to return to his duty to have assisted him 
to have retrieved his credit & recovered his ofl&ce. 

When M' Temple the Surveyor general came here (about 
6 weeks ago) he brought with him the most favorable inten- 
tions towards M"^ Barons & had I beUeve, predetermined 
(as much as he could without knowing the Case) to restore 
him. But when He came to be acquainted with the nature of 
his offences and the proofs of them, & understood that the 
whole process had been laid before the Lords of the treasury as 
well as the Commissioners of the Customs I suppose he found 
the affair was gone too far to be accommodated here. Never- 
theless, as I saw M'' Temple was desirous to favor M' Barons, 
I told him that, if he could persuade himself that M' Barons 
might be restored with safety to the Government & Security 
to the Kings offices I would concur with him in proper means 
for it. I know not now what M'' Temples Sentiments are ; 
but understand he will wait for orders from home, he having 
just now appointed a new temporary Collector 

As I have hitherto acted chiefly on the defensive I have 
preserved great moderation toward M' Barons, of which the 
two forementioned are not the only instances. And yet this 
Man is now forming a plan to engage me again in dispute with 
the Assembly & to libell me in the public papers. His former 
attempts of this kind, which by Vigilance & discretion I have 
heretofore defeated I have endeavoured to forget, hoping 
that his late Censure would bring him to his Senses. But I 
am just now informed of these new attempts by a Gentleman 
of undoubted Credit, to whom M' Barons of his own accord 



JOHN TEMPLE 47 

communicated the particulars of the Scheme to inflame the 
Assembly, & read over the whole of the Hbell against me 
(being a bundle of personal invective & improbablities) which 
he had prepared for the press. He added that he had engaged 
the best writer in Town to write against me & assured him 
that I should not be Governor of this province one year longer : 
and, that M"^ Hardy would be Governor here. 

As this is the Case I can not keep myself from declaring, 
that I have no longer any hopes of the Governments of this 
province being maintained in dignity & peace whilst M"" 
Barons has an ofhce in it. At present The Governor L' Gov~ 
All the Judges of the Superior Court the Judge of the Admiralty 
& his officers, all the officers of the Customs the Kings Author- 
ity in general & the Court of Admiralty & Custom house more 
particularly are the Defendants & M' Barons & Co Assailants. 
If M"^ Barons has any merit there is room enough for rewarding 
it without fixing him here. But I can not think He is of 
consequence enough to expect to have the peace & wellfare of 
this province sacrificed to his Caprice and Malevolence. 

I am &c 
Rt Honble Lord Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Febry 20. 1762 
My Lord 

I have just now received your Lordships favor of Dec. 11 
which much increases the great sum of our obligations to you it 
has given me great concern that I have been obliged to trouble 
your Lordship with such quantitys of paper: And I could 
have been glad to have Stopt a letter which I sent to NYork 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 27. 



48 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

about a month agoe, which was wrote before I had any 
advice of the resolutions taken in regard to M^ Barons ~ 
It contained an Acco^ of his intention to embarras me with 
the House & to libell me in the papers. But both those 
purposes were soon defeated : His petition was rejected by 
the House & his Hbell was refused by the Printers So I hope 
I shall never again after this letter, have occasion to name his 
name to your Lordship. 

The ferment in this place begins to subside : M"^ Barons has 
withdrawn two of his own Actions & been nonsuited in the 
third and I hope means may be used to prevent the other 
two from troubling the privy Council. The contests in the 
General Assembly begin to abate : I have been no party to 
them since the meeting of the present Assembly in May last ; 
Since that time I have been chiefly a Spectator of Disputes 
which I could not prevent : but if I have the general credit, 
which some of both partys flatter me with I shall hope to be 
an effectual mediator between them. When I consider what 
a deal of trouble I have had in this government, it sounds 
very odd to me to be told that there is not one Member of 
either house that is not friendly to me. But I am not on so 
good terms with the merchants : some of them have been 
above this fortnight preparing papers to be sent home, which, 
I believe will Answer no other purpose than to keep up the 
remembrance of things which they should desire should be 
forgottan. Some few of them labour hard to get some clauses 
reflecting upon me included : but I can't blame them ; for if 
it had not been for me, there would have been now neither 
Court of Admiralty nor Custom house here 

Not but that the merchants here want redress in regard 
to Several of the Laws of trade : but they don't use proper 
means nor take the proper time. I tell 'em again & again that 



HIS FAMILY 49 

they must wait for the Conclusion of peace before they can 
ask the ministry to Set about Civil regulations: and assure 
them that at such time I will assist them to the Utmost of my 
power. It is with this view that I have so long intended to 
lay before your Lordship a State of the Laws of trade in 
America & the necessity of altering some of them &c : which 
I still hope to do before it is wanted — 

We find this Country to agree very well with us & in general 
enjoy good health I have Seven of my Children now with 
me my Second son is to be put under a merchant here 
next month. I expect my eldest son (upon a visit in order to 
Settle the further plan of his Education) this next Summer. 
He writes me word, he has been at your Lordships door 
Several times. He shall take care to Signify to your Lordship 
the time proposed for his departure by a Hne. He returned 
to school at the Coronation & became a ELings Scholar again. 
We are pleased here with the Appearance of Spring: I long 
to get to the Castle, notwithstanding the narrow escape I 
had last Year, with the Additions & improvements I have made, 
It is the prettiest summer residence I know : and it is the only 
place where I can read & write to any purpose but business — 

I herewith enclose the printed Account of a pubhck Audience 
I gave to an Indian an orator, a Councellor & a warrior; & 
my friend. He was a principal Manager at the Treaty at 
Easton in 1758 & from thence Joined Gen^ Forbes & was the 
first that entred Fort du Quesne after the French abandoned it. 
He commanded the English Indians at the Battle of Niagara, 
afterwards Attended Gen' Amherst to Montreal & now having 
nothing to do, He travelled 400 Miles to visit me I took 
hold of the oppertunity to pay a Compliment to the 6 Nations 
& therefore gave him a pubhck Audience to Authenticate 
his dispatches. This I did more out of regard to the King's 



50 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Service in general than any want that this province has of 
those Indians. And they on the other hand will distingiiish 
between a Compliment unattended with any requisition or 
expectations of a return & those they are most used to, which 
are visibly founded upon self Interest & therefore, as they 
wisely discern no instances of real friendship. 

M^? Bernard desires I will express her most gratefull 
Acknowledgments for your kind care of her & hers. If the 
political estimate of the value of a Family be reckoned by a 
combined proportion of the number & usefulness of the persons 
produced by it, I hope, my children will hereafter be reckoned 
in the estimate of the family of your Lordships Grand father 

I am with due Compliments to the Ladies & all other our 
friends with great respect. 

My Lord, Your Lordships 
Most obedient & most humble Servant 
My Lord Barrington 

P. S. Febry^ 27.. 1762 
Since my writing this letter the 4^?" suit Against M' Paxton 
a Custom house officer is ended by the Jury pursuant to 
Strong recommendation from the Judges finding for the defend* 
The 5*1* Cause I apprehend will be soon ended by the plan*, 
discharging the Judgment to prevent his answering in appeal 
So that the Kings authority is now triumphant in every in- 
stance : but in the assembly things are not so quiet as I could 
wish. 

However I have the pleasure to acquaint your Lordship that 
the assembly has given an evident proof that a personal 
opposition to me has no part ill their dissentions. For this 
day a vote passed both Houses in the following words 

Resolved that in consideration of the extraordinary Services 
of his Excellency Governor Bernard there be granted to 



MT. DESERT 51 

him his heirs & assignes the Island of mount desart^ 

lying north eastward of penobscot bay and that a grant 

thereof to be laid before his majesty for his approbation 

be signed by the Secretary & Speaker on behalf of the 

two Houses. 

This Island is distinguished in most maps & is about 15 

Miles long & 5 or 6 wide at a mediimi : it contains between 

40 & 50,000 acres among which is some very rich land. I 

shall visit it this Summer & will then give your Lordship an 

account of it at present unknown as it is to me I would 

not take ^ 1000 Sterling for it. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON 2 

Castle William May i. 1762 
My Lord 

It will be agreable to your Lordship to to receive information 
that the Disputes which have subsisted here for some time 
concerning the Custom house officers & Court of Admiralty 
are subsided ; and that in every instance the Kings Authority 
has prevailed : the Actions which were brought against dif- 
ferent officers are all either determined on the side of the 
Crown or withdrawn. The Act that put the last End to 
these commotions was my negativing a bill which passed both 
Houses & was intended to substitute a new & very insuffi- 
cient kind of Writ in lieu of the Writ of Assistance granted 
to the Custom house officers in pursuance of Acts of parHa- 
ment. This the Council, greatly contrary to their duty, 
suffered to come up to me : and as it was a Very popular 

^ The story of Bernard's connection with Mount Desert is told by George 
E. Street with considerable matter from the "Sparks Manuscripts" in his 
Mount Desert, a History, ch. iv. 

2 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 187. 



52 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

subject, I gave it a more solemn condemnation than it de- 
served. I ordered the Judges to attend the Council & having 
there stated the Matters of Law & proposed Questions 
thereupon I had the Authority of their opinion that the Bill 
was contradictory to an Act of parliament : I therefore im- 
mediately rejected it in open Council. This occasioned a 
good deal of Murmuring ; but there was no room for a Serious 
objection to my proceedings. 

This was at the end of a session in which they had done 
the Kings business in part only, tho' they had given some 
assurances that every thing I desired should be done at the 
next Session. Before the next Session which began the 14th 
of last Month The Advice of the Spanish War arrived. I 
therefore ordered the Declaration of War ^ to be published 
the day the assembly met; & that same day I opened the 
Session with a speech, wherein I told them they must take 
care of themselves & should have my assistance therein; 
but that I should not interfere with their Councils nor would 
be answerable for them. They immediately & allmost unani- 
mously granted every thing that I could ask of them in 
the amplest amnner. At the end of the Session I compli- 
mented them in a way that has proved very agreable to them 
both within doors & without. So that, at this precise time 
I am a very popular Governor. 

How long this will last I dont know nor pretend to guess. 
But I have long thought that in general Governors have 
greatly impaired their own authority by interfering too 
much in the provincial Councils ; & have thereby been obliged 
to resort to Management & Intrigue to do that, for which 
they might have had, by a more open way of acting, the 
Voice of the people. I wont say that this observation will 

^Followed by "against Spain," then crossed off. 



POLICY 53 

hold every where ; but it is plain to me that this is the 
right policy for this Country. The People here are loyal 
& public spirited, but jealous of their liberties (of which 
they form high & sometimes unconstitutional ideas) to a 
great degree : and therefore the appearance of treating them 
as Independents (I mean in politicks) is Very agreable to them. 
And in so doing, It seems to me that I am strengthening 
myself; Whilst I am giving them credit for their indepen- 
dency I have a right to insist upon my own. And I do so : 
It has been the principal object of my politicks, since I arrived 
here to place my self on a bottom of my own. I had no other 
choice : When I came here I found the province divided into 
parties so nearly equal, that it would have been Madness 
for me to have put my self at the head of either of them. I 
had therefore nothing to do but to keep myself to my self 
& maintain my own Dignity. 

Your Lordship has here a System of politicks of a very 
inferior kind to those of that great establishment in which 
you bear so considerable a part. But the importance of this 
Country is now well known : & its politicks must also undergo 
the Examination of the British Councils, as soon as the con- 
tentions of Princes will allow time for it 

I am with all due regards to your Lordship & our other 
friends 

My Lord &c 
Lord Barrington 



54 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Castle William May 
24*'' 1762 
My Lord 

I am favoured ^ with your Lordships letter of 14*^^ of Jan- 
uary which came to my hands not till the 16*^^ of May : hke 
every other it adds greatly to our obbigations, I quite approve 
of My Lord Egremonts determination 8z: have the fullest 
Sense of his favor. The only reason why I pressed the matter 
so far was, that by carrying ^ it into execution now, I could 
have made it contributory to M'^ Bernards Security in case 
of accidents. 

I shall now give M"^ Pemberton a patent in pursuance of 
his sign manual : he has patiently waited for it to this time. 
I beheve he will write to your Lordship to assure you that 
he shall be ready to carry the agreement into execution 
whenever proper means can be devised for it ; & also to desire 
your Lordships patronage that you would protect his office, 
which now extends to all the ports in the province from being 
partitioned ; such a design having been on foot. I appre- 
hend ^ that after the assurances given by ^ my Lord Egre- 
mont, such a Caution is ^ unnecessary. Nevertheless if M"^ 
Pemberton should write to this purpose, your Lordship will 
be so good as to excuse it. 

By accounts received from England I think it probable 
that my eldest son is now on the Sea in his passage to us. 
I found it very necessary in order to settle the future plan of 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 190. 

2 First written "informed." * First written "apprehended." 
* First written "engaging." ^ First written "to." 

^ First written "in." 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 55 

his destinations to have an interview with him ; & I have 
obtained the Dean of Christ Church's leave for that purpose, 
having engaged that he shall lose no time in his studies. And 
I shall endeavour to keep my word & hope by means of a 
little leisure time of my own & the assistance of the professor 
of Mathematicks at the College (with whom I am very friendly) 
to send him back well advanced in the principles of Mathe- 
maticks & Natural Philosophy : in which when he has recieved 
the finishing polish at Oxford, It will be time for him to fix 
upon some certian business. 

I hope my congratulations to your Lordship & M' Barring- 
ton on his promotions at Christ Church came to hand. I 
know but of one Vessel with letters of mine on board that 
has failed & that had only Duplicates, 

Our compliments wait on your Lordship & all our friends. 
I am. with great respect 

My Lord, Your Lordships 
most obedient & most humble 
Servant 
R* Honble Lord Viscount Barrington, 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston June 7. 1762 
My Lord 

Since I sent away the original of my inclosed Letter, M"^ 
Pemberton has delivered me a duplicate of one of his to your 
Lordship which will go in the Cover with this. He is per- 
fectly satisfied with the declarations of My Lord Egremont 
to secure his office from the applications of other people. I 
have before commended his candor in this transaction : I 

' "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 193. 



56 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

must add a fresh instance of it. He has indorsed upon the 
Agreement that notwithstanding the patent is made to him 
alone, He will from the time my son comes of Age untill he 
shall be appointed to the office consider himself as a trustee 
for such part of the profits as are stipulated for my Son. 

I acquainted your Lordship in a former letter with the 
Credit I am in with the people. This, upon the meeting of 
the new assembly has been improved to the utmost. There 
never was a greater Harmony in the Government than at 
present. For proof of which I send your Lordship the address 
of the lower house, the expressions of which do not exceed 
their deeds. 

I am 
L"^ Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Castle William July i;*** 1762 
My Lord 

In a former Letter I informed your Lordship that the Gen| 
Court had made me a Grant of Island of Mountdesart, as 
well as to reward some particular Services, as to refund, the 
extroardinary Expences I had been at in coming into this 
Government. This grant by the Charter requires his Majesty's 
confirmation, and I accordingly sent the Necessary papers 
for such purpose to M' Bollan & desir'd he would Solicit it : 
at the same time I wrote to Lord Egremont to desire his 
fauor to lay this Grant before his Majesty. I did not then 
apprehend ; nor do I now know that an extroardinary Interest 
would be wanting to obtain this, & therefore I did not impor- 
tune your Lordship to give your assistance in it. But this 
* "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 203. 



MT. DESERT 57 

Island proves to be so much more Valuable, than was at first 
apprehended, that it becomes a Great object; especially to 
me, to whose family a growing Estate is more Suitable than 
to most, I have therefore thought proper to beseech your Lord- 
ships favor to permit my Agents to wait on you if any diffi- 
culties should arise, I employed M"' Bollan in this Business as 
early as possible & have not had time to hear from him. As 
M'' Bollan's Agency for this province is determined, he may 
probably leave England before he can get my business done, 
I have therefore desired Rich^ Jackson of the Inner Temple 
Esq"^ to relieve M' Bollan in this business or such part of it, 
as shall be convenient to them : And I've acquainted M' 
Jackson, that I should write to your Lordship to introduce 
his Name to your Lordship in case He should have occassion 

to trouble you 

We have certain advise that a French Fleet has taken S' 
Johns in Newfoundland & broke up the fishing there. It is 
said also that they have taken Placentia. They seem resolved 
to hold the former which surrenderd June 2j^^ Thier Nimi- 
ber, as near as I can learn, is 8 Ships — 5 of the Line & from 
1500 to 3000 land forces : They are suppos'd to be the Brest 
Fleet that sailed to relieve Martinico. I am just now dis- 
patching an Express to Adm! Pococke at the Havanna, which 
I hope by this time in his hands. 

I am, with great respect 

My Lord, Your Lordships 

Most obedient & most 

humble Servant 

R* Hon^'* Lord Viscount Barrington 



58 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD i 

Cavendish Square ii*'' Septm^ 1762 
Dear Sir 

I have received various Letters from you, & one from M^ 
Pemberton: I have made the proper use of them all. I 
shall watch every opportunity that offers, and endeavor to 
employ it for your service. I shall also, if necessary, give 
any assistance in my power to the Agents you employ about 
the Grants made to you by the Province, of which I most 
sincerely wish you joy, both on account of the advantage 
they will be to your family, and as they are testimonials of 
the respect & good will borne you by the people of your 
Government. 

I had lately a visit from Cap* Booth, who asked my con- 
sent for his marrying M''^ Porter, which I most willingly gave. 
He told me he intended to settle his fortune first on her, and 
afterwards on your Children, if he had none of his own, which 
he did not seem to expect. 

We are in full expectation of a speedy Peace ; whenever it 
is concluded you shall have an immediate account from me. 
I beg you will present my best compliments to M"^* Bernard, 
& believe me to be with the greatest truth & regard 
Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 

most obedient Servant 

Barrington 

His Excellency 
Governor Bernard 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 15. 



FAMILY MATTERS 59 

LORD HARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD » 

Cavendish Square 6'** October 1762 
Dear Sir 

Since my Letter to you by last Packet, M' Booth is mar- 
ried to M^^ Porter, of which he has acquainted me by Letter, 
assuring me of his determination to settle his fortune in the 
manner mentioned in my last, to Wit ; First on his wife, and 
then on your children, in case he has none of his own. I 
beg leave to make my best compliments to you and M^ Ber- 
nard on this occasion. 

I have seen M"^ Jackson, and have concerted with him how 
I can be most serviceable to you, in case my good Offices 
should be wanting. 

I was in hopes of sending you an account of the Peace by 
this Packet : I think you will hear it by the next. I am with 
great truth 

I beg leave to add my best comp® Dear Sir 

to M"^^ Bernard & your Son. your Excellency's 

most faithful humble Servant 
Barrington 

His Excellency 
Governor Bernard 

1" Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 29. 



6o BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON* 

Castle William Aug. 30*^^ 1762 
My Lord 

As I have given your Lordship a false Acd of the french 
force at Newfoundland, as it was reported at the beginning 
of the Alarm, I must endeavour to make you amends by a 
more true Account now. The french fleet Consists of the 
Robuste 74 guns Eveille 64. guns Licorne 36 & a transport 
with 26 or 30 guns (no matter which) called the Garrone. 
The ships are extreamly ill maned with Sailors, but the land 
forces are very good consisting of 900 Granadiers & 300 
Marines. They have fortifyed S* Johns & propose to keep 
it this winter depending, no doubt, upon the seasons not per- 
mitting a relief from England or the West Indies. But they 
will find themselves mistaken. Upon the Antelope arriving 
at Placentia & joining the Sirene there, & the Gosport arriving 
at New York & being ordered to Halifax I sent our Province 
Ship the King George (a complete 20 gun Frigate) to Halifax. 
And my Lord Colville immediately After, on the 10*^^ of 
August, sailed from Halifax with the Northumberland Gos- 
port & King George to join the Antelope & Sirene & proceed 
to S* John's to block up the french fleet there. In the mean 
time Gen! Amherst has fitted out a land Armament under the 
Command of Col Amherst of Sufficient force to attack S* 
Johns by land : and I expect every day to hear that they are 
sailed from Halifax to Join Lord Colville so that we hope to 
have a good Account of the French fleet & Army before 
Winter sets in. It happened that Lord Colville left Hahfax 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 207. There is no address on this 
letter, but it is clearly to Lord Barrington. See Governor Bernard's letter of 
Oct. 20, 1762. 



NEWFOUNDLAND 6i 

before he received Advice of the land Armament being form- 
ing : but such measures have been taken, that this is not 
like to create any disappointment or delay in the execution 
of the scheme. I mean not to make myself Answerable for 
Consequences, but think that this expedition has a very 
promising Appearance : & therefore take the oppertunity of a 
Snow sailing for Bristol to inform your Lordship of it. 
I am with great respect 
My Lord Your Lordships most &c 
&c 

By the Snow Bristol packet 
sail'^ Sep. 4 

PS. Sep 14^^^ Sep 

I take this oppertunity of a Brigs sailing from this port 
for Bristol to transmit to your Lordship this duplicate & at 
the same time to inform you that Col. Amherst with the land 
forces saild from Halifax on the id^^ for Newfoundland : as 
it is now 5 Weeks since Lord Colville sailed for S^ Johns & I 
hawe heard nothing from the Captain of our ship I Conclude 
that they arrived at S* Johns time enough to block up the 
french there : & if the Sufi&ciency of their strenght was doubt- 
full before I hope it will be put out of all doubt by the junc- 
tion of the Enterprize lately arrived from the Havanna & 
with the Addition of some troops just returned to New York. 

I beg leave most sincerely & heartily to Congratulate your 
Lordship upon the Reduction of the Havanna a Conquest 
more great & Important than living memory or British His- 
tory can Afford. 

Duplicate & P. S By the Brg Rain bow 
potberry for Bristol sailed 



62 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD HARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square Nov. 13, 1762. 
Dear Sir, 

I have now the Pleasure to congratulate your Excellency 

on the conclusion of a Peace with France and Spain signed 

the 3^ Instant at Paris by the respective Ministers of those 

Crowns & by the Duke of Bedford. They have been ratify'd 

already here, & I beleive in France; & there is no doubt of 

their being ratify'd by Spain as soon as possible. I have not 

seen any Copy, but the Paper herewith inclosed (publish'd 

in one of the News Papers) I believe contains pretty nearly 

the truth. I think the Peace a good one, & hope others will 

be of that opinion. I am with my best Comps to M*? Bernard 

& my Cousins 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 

most faithful & 

obedient Servant 

Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Castle William Oct. 20*^*" 1762 
My Lord 

By a Letter dated Aug®* 30 & a postscript added to the 
duplicate thereof I informed your Lordship of the measures 
which were taking for the recovery of S- Johns by an im- 
mediate armament from the continent : and happily it has 
the success which I then flattered myself with. When the 
French arrived here, — this Coast was Very defenceless : & 
yet it could not be regretted, Since it was occasioned by the 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 33. 
^ Ibid., vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 219. 



NEWFOUNDLAND 63 

Assistance which North America gave to the Expedition against 
the Havannah without which it could not have succeded. & 
therefore if the taking S' Johns had been more detrimental than 
it was ; it would be but fair to ballance it with the Havannah. 
The French Commander, upon his arrival at Newfoundland, 
declared that he knew there was no Man of War upon the 
Coast but the Northumberland : in which, if he meant to 
confine himself to Halifax, he was not mistaken. He there- 
fore thought himself safe in determining to hold the place 
thro' the Winter concluding that no Armament could arrive 
from England or the West Indies time enought before the 
Winter was set in; and that North America was unable to 
fit out one : but in the latter he was disappointed. The 
Sirene of 20 guns arrived upon the coast of Newfoundland 
about the same time with the french fleet, & soon after the 
Antelope of 50 guns arrived & escaped the Enemy. These 
rendevoused at, Placentia. Soon after, the Gosport arrived 
at N York with a Convoy & immediately after, sailed for 
HaHfax. I had kept our Province Ship the King George (a 
complete 20 gun frigate & then in Very good order) in readi- 
ness to join Lord Colville, & upon hearing the Gosport was 
Sail'd from NYork I ordered the King George to Halifax; 
which arriving a few days after the Gosport Lord Colville 
immediately sail'd to join the Antelope & Sirene & face the 
Enemy. The Naval Force stood thus 



Robuste . . 


• 74 


English 


Northumber- 




Eveille . . 


. 64 




land . . 


64 


Licorne . . 


• 36 




Antelope . 


50 


Garonne 


. 26 




Gosport 


40 


Granmiont . 


. 16 




Sirene . . 


20 




216 




King George 


20 
194 



64 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

In the mean time a land Armament was preparing, tho' with 
so much Secrecy that Lord Colville was not acquainted with 
it when he sail'd. This was under the command of Col. 
Amherst, & formes another ballance of Land Forces 

French. Granadiers of EngHsh. Regulars . . 900 

France . . 900 Provincials of 

Marines . . . 300 Massachusets 

1200 Bay . . 500 

1400 
Irish recruits imcertain 

Artillery not reckoned : 
chiefly on board the Ships 

With this force, in which the besiegers very little exceeded in 
number the beseiged, has this place strong by nature, made 
stronger than ever by additional fortifications, & defended 
by, what the Enemy called, the best troops of France, been 
taken. The Sum of the french prisoners with that of the 
killed added thereto is very near equal to the whole Niunber 
of the English Regulars. But We must make due allowance 
for the provincials ; one company of which being light In- 
fantry & joined to the same corps of regulars was no ways 
inferior to them in driving the french from the severall out 
posts which they endeavoured to maintain. Two days after 
the Place was taken arrived 4 Men of War from England : 
So that this Expedition was favoured to the last by the whole 
honor of it being preserved entire to the first adventurers. 

As I had before informed your Lordship of this Expedition, 
I have thought proper to conclude the History of it. 

I am &c 
The Right Honble The Lord 
Viscount Barrington 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 65 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Castle William Oct. 21 1762 
My Lord 

At the desire of M*^ Pemberton, Naval Officer throughout 
this Province, I am to inform your Lordship that he is appre- 
hensive that A Gentleman lately gone from hence professedly 
to get A Place in this Country by appointment from Eng- 
land, has a design upon that part of the Naval Office which 
lies in the port of Salem : & therefore He begs the favor of 
your Lordship under whose patronage he considers his Office 
to be, to bespeak my Lord Egremont's attention, that such 
an application, if it should be made, may be duly considered 
I dont apprehend that there is any probability of such an 
attempt succeding, but by the means of misrepresentation 
or misapprehension : & therefore I Should think that it 
would be quite sufficient to Enter a Caveat with M"^ Wood. 
Indeed I Should not have troubled Your Lordship with this, 
but that I could not refuse M"^ Pemberton in assisting him 
in Such acts of Caution, which he Shall think proper to take 

I am &c 
The Right Hon''*^ The Lord Viscount Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Castle William Oct 30'^ 1762 
My Lord . 

I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship that my eldest 

Son arrived here safe on Tuesday last. He received your 

Lordships favor with a letter to MF Cle viand to procure him 

a passage in a Man of War : but a Ship ready to sail for 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. ii (Letter Book), p. 223. ^ Ibid., p. 221. 



66 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

NYork offering, he thought it best to save time by going on 
board her. On this side the Madeira he shifted himself on 
board a Ship bound for this port & came directly hither. I 
fear I am blamed by my friend in England for engaging him 
in such a Voyage merely for a Visit as they may call it : But 
I see it in a stronger light. It has seemed to me absolutely 
necessary at this most critical time of his life to explore his 
genius, so as to direct his studies & farther pursuits to proper 
objects. Parts He by no means wants, & he has hitherto 
not being deficient in acquiring such learning as has belonged 
to him : but judgement in choosing his Walk of life & steadi- 
ness in keeping in it he has Still to gain. To settle this & 
to initiate him in Mathematicks & Natural Philosophy, 
so as to make those studies pleasing to him, will be our busi- 
ness for the 9 or lo Months in which I propose he shall stay 
here. 

In some of my former letters I mentioned to your Lordship 
the grant of the Island of Mount desart made by the Assembly 
to me in consideration of extraordinary expences & Services. 
I find the confirmation of it is like to labour, from the Lords 
of Trade not being at present inclined to allow the lands on 
the East side of Penobscot Bay to belong to the province 
of Massachusets Bay, altho' thier Right to it has heretofore 
been formally admitted in pursuance of the opinion of the 
Atty & Soil' general, Be that as it will, I perceive that the 
litigation of this Question, if it is carried to its full lenght, 
will be very tedious & very warm. And therefore I am Very 
desirous of getting my business exempted from it, which I 
think may be done by giving it a new Turn by making a little 
change in the terms of my Application for the Kings con- 
firmation. I must not conceal from your Lordship, that this 
Island is a great object to one who has such a Nimiber of 



MT. DESERT 67 

young children as have fallen to our lot; & therefore must 

not be lost for want of any pains of mine or any assistance I 

can procure from my friends, I shall endeavour to avoid 

giving your Lordship unnecessary trouble : when it cannot 

be spared I know you'l excuse it 

I am &c 

The Right Honble The Lord Viscount Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square 13. Feb: 1763. 
Dear Sir, 

I have enter'd a Caveat with M^ Wood, who will be sure 

to let nothing be done in the office concerning M^ Pemberton's 

Place, without my knowlege. 

I have lately seen M' Jackson, who will not fail to apprize 

me when he wants my help in your affairs. 

Last tuesday I had the misfortime to lose my mother after 

a very few hours illness. She was senseless from her first 

seizure, and seem'd easy and quiet till she dyed. I beg you 

will present my best Comp? to M'? Bernard, and all my 

Cousins & I am with great truth 

D^Sir 

Your most faithful 

humble Serv* 

Barrington 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 57. 



68 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON ^ 

Castle William May 21-1763 
My Lord 

I am favoured with your Lordships letter of the 13*^ of 
Febry informing of Lady Barrington's Death. I should 
think an easy determination of a well spent Life rather a 
subject for ^ congratulation than condolance, if it was not 
for the pain which the separation gives the relatives left behind. 

I was loath to give your Lordship the last trouble concern- 
ing the Naval Office ; but M^ Pemberton is a cautious Man ; 
and I could not avoid satisfying his fears. And now there is 
occasion for further trouble: by the new establishment of 
the board of Trade, This Office falls into the patronage of 
M- Townshend, and I suppose it will be necessary to secure 
his Confirmation of Lord Egremonts Designation. Your 
Lordship will judge what will be the best method of procuring 
that : that nothing may be wanting, I inclose an abstract 
of the Memorial submitted to Lord Egremont; wliich, tho' 
contracted in words, is sufficiently explicit in matter. 

I must also beg your Lordship to recommend me in general 
terms to M- Townshend, I have wrote to him upon the Subject 
of his appointment & have made a ready offer of my Service 
in giving him information of what has occured to me in re- 
gard to such matters as are too delicate for public letters. 
I wrote to your Lordship (dated Dec^ 15 1761) a short state 
of my pretensions to being of some use, in case a Revisal & 
new Settlement of the Pohtical state of N. America should 
have a place in the British Councils : to that letter I would 
now refer; what addition to it shall be necessary, I shall 
consider & forward by the best oppartunity, 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 62. 2 pjrst written "of." 



MT. DESERT 69 

The Grant of Mount desert still remains in suspension, for 
want of the original grant, which having been dehvered into 
the Secretary's Ofi&ce is mislaid so that it cannot be found. 
A Duplicate of it sent to the Lords of Trade was taken ; but a 
triplicate, I sent lately, was arrivd. At the beginning of 
last Winter My Conduct & the Provinces was I believe mis- 
represented from Nova Scotia; and The Lords hearing that 
Side only judged us rather too hastily. Some time after, my 
papers arriv'd, which, I understand, have shown my conduct 
& the Provinces right in a different light from what they were 
seen in before. I have upon this occasion received a kind 
letter from thier Lordships which makes amends for a un- 
pleasant one which the Nova Scotia Representation produced. 
I am much obliged to your Lordship for the concern you 
have expressed in this affair. I hope your Lordship will 
not have much more trouble in it ; as it seems to me that the 
right of the Province to those lands is too strong to be set 
aside: And M- Jackson is full in this Opinion. There have 
certainly been great pains taken in the defence of the Province's 
right ; and I have had my full share of them & I hope without 
giving offence, as appears from the following Clause in thier 
Lordships last letter to me "Wee can have no objection to 
"your acceptance of this grant as a Testimony of the ap- 
" probation & favour of that Province in whose service & 
"in the conduct of whose affairs you have manifested such 
"Zeal & Capacity" — 

We have passed thro' a very Severe Winter in good health. 
I have now 8 of my 10 Children in family with me. Frank 
will soon take his departure for England ; when I shall ac- 
quaint your Lordship with my thoughts concerning him. I 
am with our joint compliments to your Lordship, & our friends 
&c My Lord — your Lordships &c 
The Rt Honble L4 Barrington 



70 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston June 15. 1763. 
My L 



When I was at Penobscot last Summer I engaged the Com- 
mander of Fort Pownall on that river to employ the best 
hand he could to make an Indian Canoo, which I entended 
for y'' Serpentine River at Becket. The Captain after- 
wards wrote me Word that he had employed a Squaw of the 
Penobcot Tribe (who are all now our Freinds) esteemed the 
best hand for a Canoo in America, to exert the utmost of her 
art on tliis occasion. But when I came to recieve it, I find 
I have been mistaken ; & instead of a practicable Canoo they 
have sent me only a a Modell of one. I am so disappointed in 
this, that in order to alleviate it, I have resolved to send y' 
Lordship this trifle of trifles, which perhaps may recommend 
itself as a curiosity : as it is the work of a Lady, perhaps of 
the first quahty among her own people, & is exactly the same 
both in materials & Workmanship as a full sized Canoo. I 
intend however to send y"" Lordship a full sized one, which 
tho capable of holding three or four at a time is easily carried 
by one man from river to river. 

I propose to reconnoitre this Country this Summer with 
great accuracy, the assembly having authorised me to employ 
a Mathematician to make observations all along the Coast. 
I have a very good Man for that purpose, the Professor of 
Mathematics at this College, whom I shall accompany, & 
assist myself. And I shall make a a further progress in sur- 
ve)dng Mount Desart, unless I am ordered off from home. I 
have concluded with 60 famihes with a Minister at their head 
& a Merchant to supply 'm to settle there this Summer upon 
^ "Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 78. 



MT. DESERT 71 

a plan already laid out : I want only power to make them 
a title. There are also 920 families ready to settle upon the 
continent adjoining to the Islands in 12 Townships already 
mark't out. I shall greive much (setting aside my own in- 
terest) if this settlement should be defeated ; as it is compactly 
planned & laid out to great advantage. And when I con- 
sider how much it has Cost the Government of Great Britain 
to settle 4000 Souls in some other Parts of America, I think 
it will be a great pity that such a Settlement should be re- 
fused when offered to be brought forward at no pubHc expence ^ 
at all. For my own part I have been drawn into this scheme 
unperceptibly : & now the People call on me to be their leader, 
which I shall decline no longer, than till I can learn that my 
establishing a New Colony in a desert (which will long remain 
impeopled if this opportunity is neglected) will be approved 

Yours &c 

The R Horble the L Viscount Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 2 

Castle William Aug"*^ i 1763 
My Lord 

I have the favor of your Lordships letter of the 30'^'' of 

March which came to my hands not till the 23'''^ of July. I 

wrote to your Lordship a letter dated May 21^' desiring your 

Lordships favor to recommend me to M^ Townshend whom 

I then imagined to be first Lord of Trade. I must now beg 

to tranfer the requests in that letter from M^ Townshend to 

Lord Shelburne who, according to my instructions, has the 

patronage of America in the Same manner as Lord Halifax had, 

^ First written "offence." 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 86. 



72 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

I write to his Lordship by the packet, to make him an offer 
of my best Services : your Lordships recommendation will 
make them much more acceptable than they can be of them- 
selves. 

I wrote to your Lordship also on June 15 on the Subject of 
Mount Desart : this business still continues promising ; but 
the delay is unsuitable & will oblige me to enter into some 
Expence this Summer in dependence of a future confirmation 
of my title. A Letter I have just now received from the Lords of 
trade sayes that "it would be very agreeable to them to concur 
"with the Legislature of the province in so proper a testimony 
"& approbation of my services to the public" but it is not 
as yet advisable to bring the incidental questions into dis- 
cussion, So I don't expect that this Affair will be considered 
imtill next Winter. My Jackson has been indefatigable in it 

M^^ Bernard joins with me in Comp^^ to your Lordship 
& your Lady & all our friends 

I am, with great respect 
The R* Honble My Lord your Lordships 

The Lord Viscount Barrington most obedient &c 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square 23^ Febr^ 1764 
Sir 

I am to return you my best thanks, for your very kind 
Present of Fish, which came very safe to hand, and is very 
good. I am ashamed of the trouble you annually give your- 
self, upon my account. 

I understand thro' M' Jackson, that your affairs concerning 
Mount Desert go on well ; he has promised to give me notice 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 163. 



MT. DESERT 73 

when I can be Assistant therein. Lord Hillsborough, the 
present first Lord of Trade, is the most intimate friend I have 
in the world, and I have not neglected to inform him of 
my connexions with, and good opinion of you. 

I hope this Letter will find you, M^ Barnard, & all your 
family in perfect health. I beg you will present my best 
compliments to her, & add that her Relations on this side the 
Water are well & much at her service. 

If I were to enter on the PoKtical situation of this Country, 
it would open too large a field for a Letter : My opinion is 
that the present Administration will support itself very well, 
notwithstanding it has been press'd on some popular points, 
and I hope those Clamours which have artfuly & wickedly 
been raised, will subside. I am with great truth & esteem 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellencys 
most faithful 

humble Servant 
Barrington 
His Excellency 
Governor Bernard 

GOVERNOR BERNARD. TO LORD HARRINGTON 1 

Boston March 31'* 1764 
My Lord 

My Eldest Son being now ready to embark in a ship 

bound for England I take the Uberty to trouble Your Lordship 

with this, that will inform if no accident happens, of his 

arrival at Christ Church. As the ship he goes in is bound to 

Bristol, He is to make the best of his Way to Oxford from 

^ " Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 133. 



74 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

thence; & he will be obliged to keep at College for some 
time. But he will at all times be proud to receive your 
Lordships Commands to wait on you at any time & place 
You shall be pleased to Appoint. 

The friendship with which your Lordship has honoured me 
& the favourable regards you have shown towards this my 
Son make it my duty to observe an entire unreservedness 
in expressing to your Lordship the opinion I at present enter- 
tain of him. He has a quick Genius & is a good school 
schollar in latin greek & hebrew to which since he has been 
here he has added french so far as to read it ; he is inquisitive 
& has a boundless Curiosity : but he is unsteady, indolent 
& at present incapable of pursuing a purpose to any great 
length; so that his studies (for he can't remain Idle) are 
desultory & more calculated to give him an Imperfect knowl- 
edge in many Sciences than a Compleat knowledge in any one. 

He is not without ambition but it is quite obscured by his 
Curiosity ; which has given him a great inclination to travel! 
& the further the better. I gave him leave to go as far as 
Philadelphia & when he got there, he had a desire to Visit 
Fort Pitt & see the Country about the ohio ; & he actually 
went as far as Alexandria. I dare say He had rather be 
appointed Secretary to an Embassy to China, than have a 
place of five times the Value at home. 

Your Lordship may imagine that Dispositions so very Con- 
trary to my designation of him, which is to get him fixed in 
some business or other as soon as possible are very unpleasing. 
I have therefore combatted them with all my power; with 
what effect must be seen from his future Conduct. However 
we have agreed that he shall return to college & reside there 
two years ; at the end of which the disposal of him is to be, 
if it can be, finally settled. In the mean time I have given 



FAMILY MATTERS 75 

him a taste for Philosophy, that seems to take hold of him, 
by the books he reads & the Questions he asks about the New- 
tonic System, with which I have made him a Uttle acquainted. 

Altho' I cannot much depend upon making him a Man of 
business, I shall not give it up as yet, as his Abilities will 
still remain, & two Years may make a great change in his 
disposition to exert them. At least I hope to be able to resort 
to that place, which your Lordship was so kind as to engage 
from Lord Egremont & which notwithstanding the late 
fluctuation, of the American Patronage, your Lordship will 
still be so good as to secure. 

M"? Bernard desires to join with me in Compliments to 
your Lordship & all our friend. 

I am, with great respecet, 
The Right Honble 1 My Lord your Lordships 

The Ld Viscount Barrington J most obedient &c &c 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 1 

Castle William ^ June 23. 1764 
My Lord, 

1 am favoured with your Lordships letter of Feb. 23, & 
should have acknowledged it sooner, but that I had a letter 
to you ^ on the Sea at the time I received your last. I think 
myself highly honourd by your Lordships friendship ; ^ & 
can assure you the Sense of it gives great Strength to the guard 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 235. The second and third 
paragraphs appear as a complete letter in Select Letters on the Trade and Govern- 
ment of America by Governor Bernard (London, 1774), p. 23. The text is 
practically like the manuscript; the important differences in wording are 
noted. 

2 " Castle William " is omitted in Select Letters. 

'First written "your Lordship." ^ First written "patronage." 



76 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

I keep ^ upon my conduct. I consider myself no less fortunate 
that the Direction of American Affairs should fall into the 
hands of the two noble Lords, who have so large a share of 
your^ Intimacy. In this Confidence, I am going to give 
your Lordship a trouble which I flatter myself you^ will excuse 
tho' you should not approve of it. 

I am not now to acquaint your Lordship that ever since I 
have been in America, I have studied the Policy of the several 
Governments & endeavourd to acquire a true Idea of their 
Relation to Great Britian. But I have had no Encouragement 
to reduce my thoughts into writing, as heretofore the unsettled 
State of the Ofi&ces ^ afforded me no prospect of a proper 
opportunity to communicate my Sentiments upon these 
Subjects. However this Spring I formed my thoughts into 
a kind of regular System, as concise and as argumentative 
as could well be.^ And now I wish I had done it sooner : 
for the late proceedings in ParHament have given such a 
rouse to the politicians in this Country, that it seems that a 
pubHcation of some thing of this kind at this time might be 
of some ^ Service. But I could not Venture upon it myself, 
not only from difl&dence of my own Judgement, but because 
in my Station I do not think myself at liberty to publish 
anything of this kind without first Submitting it to my 
Superiors. 

I have therefore thought it proper to transmit to your 
Lordship two Copies of this piece, that if you ^ think it deserves 
Notice, you may transmit them to my Lords Halifax & Hills- 

1 First written "kept." 

2 Followed by "Lordships," then crossed off. 
'First written "your Lordship." 

^The word "public" is inserted before "Offices" in Select Letters. 

^ See Bernard's "Principles of Law and Polity" in his Select Letters, p. 65. 

® Omitted in Select Letters. ^ First written "your Lordship." 



REFORMATIONS 77 

borough.^ Altho' it is concise, it is not obscure ; & tho' short 
it contains the heads of a great deal of Matter : for it seems 
to me that evry thing I have to say of the American Govern- 
ments in general & my own Province in particular may be 
brought into commentaries upon this little Work ; ^ & for 
such a purpose I have intended it. If it has any Merit, I 
would have the honour of your Lordships Mediation; if it 
has none, I shall stand in need of your Apology. 

I shall send your Lordship another Copy by the next 
packet I send to London : but having these two ready, I was 
unwilhng to lose the benefit of a Ship now ready to sail : 
for I don't care to trust anybody to copy these but my second 
Son, who being engaged in a Merchants counting house has 
very little spare time to write for me. 

M"^ Bernard has lately been very much out of order with 
a slow feaver but is now mending apace. This Climate does 
not agree with her so well as it does with me : if I should have 
more frequent instances of it I shall be much disconcerted. 
She joins with me in compUments to your Lordship your Lady 
& all our friends. 

I am. with great respect 
The R* Honble My Lord &c 

The Lord Barrington 

^ The names of Halifax and Hillsborough are left blank in Select Letters. 
^ The word is "piece" in Select Letters. 



78 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON » 

Boston July 23. 1764 
My Lord 

I take this opportunity to send to your Lordship a duplicate 
of a letter I sent by the Ship Boston packet Capt Marshall 
which sailed for London on June 27 ; and also another Copy 
of the paper mentioned therein. I have nothing to add but 
that the Experience of explaining to the Americans the nature 
of their own rights keeps encrasing, as new Pampletts on the 
popular Side are coming out. If your Lordship should think 
that this Paper affords a proper System for such an explaina- 
tion, I am quite prepared to enforce & extend the principal 
propositions thereof, by observations of my own & conclusions 
drawn from them. If this paper should be thought to deserve 
a serious Consideration, I should be glad if your Lordship 
could procure Lord Mansfields thoughts upon it. 

I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship that M''.^ 
Bernard has kept improving ever since the date of my last. 
She is now a a pleasent house of the Secretary's 5 miles from 
Boston, which he has lent us ; as the Air of it is thought more 
suitable to her than than that of my Summer Residence the 
Castle 

I am, with great respect &c 
The R^ Honble 
The Lord Visc*^ Barrington 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 236. 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 79 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Beckett 7. Sep|^ 1764. 
Dear Sir, 

I have two unanswer'd Letters of your's; one dated in 
March, the other in June last : It is not long since I received 
them ; the first having been a great while on its road, before 
it got hither. Soon after your Son's arrival at oxford, he 
very obUgingly desired to know whether he might wait on me 
here to use his own modest expression. He came hither at 
my request, and past a day or two with us. He seems very 
much to answer your description of him : I do not see why he 
should not make his way in the world very well ; and I heartily 
wish he may ; to the intire satisfaction of his friends. 

In a former Letter I acquainted you that I had mentioned 
your son to Lord Halifax when he became Secretary of State 
for the Southern Department ; but as he (Mf Bernard) was 
considerably under Age, I only said I had a request to make in 
his favour, which I had made with good prospect of Success 
to Mr Pitt and Lord Egremont. Finding him to be one and 
twenty the if} of this month, I explain'd the whole Plan 
of what you & Mf Pemberton had settled to Lord Halifax, 
making oppology for breaking, or rather seeming to break, a 
resolution he knew I had taken when I became Treasurer of 
the Navy ; which was to ask no favours of any body, since I 
was no longer in a Situation to make a return : I told my 
Lord what I then did was no new matter, having undertaken 
it with Mf Pitt near four year's ago. I was sorry to find 
more difficulties than I expected, tho I did not find the least 
diminution of his Lordships friendly good will for me . He said 
he had refused many things of the kind, to People he loved & 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 187. 



8o BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

wish'd to gratify ; conceiving that reversions, additional names 
added to grants, & resignations in favour of others, were in 
their natures injurious to the Crown, the Publick & his suc- 
cessors in office; all which is most undeniably true. I en- 
deavour'd to make distinctions between this Case and others ; 
and left him assuring me he would consider the whole matter 
carefully, & see what could be done to oblige me. He spoke 
of you with much esteem and approbation : I left with him 
one of the two manuscript Copies you transmitted to me; 
and Lord Hillsborough shall have the other when he returns 
from Ireland. I shall have more conversation with Lord 
Hahfax at the end of this month concerning your son, and 
you shall know the result. 

I have lately had some talk with our friend Pownal about 
mount Desart, who assures me your grant shall have his best 
assistance, & seems to think it will pass to your Satisfaction : 
He & M^ Jackson have promised to let me know when any 
help of mine is wanted. 

I am extremely concern'd to hear that M''.^ Bernard has 
not got her health so well as she had in England. I flatter 
my self however she will soon get rid of every indisposition 
and find New England to agree with her as well as the old. 
I trouble you with a Letter for her in answer of one she lately 
honour'd me with about her son. I am with great truth & 
Esteem Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
P.S. Most faithful & 

Since writing this Letter Obedient Servant 

I have received your third Copy 

and the Letter dated 23^ July therewith Barrington 

inclosed 



MT. DESERT 8i 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD i 

Beckett 3"? Oct^ 1764. 
Dear Sir, 

I had the misfortune to lose Lady Barrington last week. 

She had been very ill, and was not expected to live long, but 

her death was not thought to be so near. 

I have presented your work, to Lord Halifax who admires it 

greatly, and says it is the best thing of the kind by much that 

he ever read : I am persuaded Lord Hillsborough will not give 

it less commendation. When I return to London I will see 

what can be done for my Cousin Francis in respect to Pember- 

ton's employment. I am with my best Comp! to M"? 

Bernard Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 

most faithful & most obed* Servant 

Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 2 

Castle William Octo 20. 1764 
My Lord 

I have been long in hopes, that I should not have occasion 

to trouble Your Lordship upon the Subject of Mount desert 

any more than to return you thanks. But at a time when I 

expected evry day to receive the confirmation of my grant, 

I learn from M"^ Jackson that new objections are made to the 

Province's right to those lands, & when we thought ourselves 

Safe in harbour, We are all drove out to sea again. At the 

Same time I receive from Sec^ Pownall, & by declarations 

from him to M^ Jackson, assurances that I shall have the 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 195. 
^ Ibid., vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 254. 



82 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Island at all events. I could be content to wait till evry 
obstacle that stands in my way was removed : but unfort- 
unately my undertaking's & Engagements will not wait 
any longer. This obliges me again to be troublesome to all 
my friends ; the occasion of it I will explain to your L'^ship. 

Altho' for want of the Kings confirmation, I could not do 
any pubUc Acts of ownerships' yet as I have been allways 
considered & have considered myself as the Owner of the Island, 
I have been inavoidably led into considerable expences for 
improving h peopling the place : Among which, besides my 
frequent Voyages, I may reckon the Surveying the whole 
Island, which will come to a large Sum, & the laying out a 
Town & cutting out all the lines of the principal Streets, to 
make the plan more readily understood. But this Summer 
I thought myself uncommonly fortunate : for having had a 
German Agent introduced to me, who was employed to look 
out for a settlement for a Congregation he belonged to, I 
offered him my Town at Mount desert ; where I showd him 
and accordingly I took him & a German Minister his assistant 
in my sloop to Mount desert [ ] 
the spot proposed, & in a very few words came to an agree- 
ment with him for 80 families, to whom I was to assign 2000 
acres, being 25 acres each, gratis, & as much more land as they 
should want at an easy rate then agreed on : and I was to 
be at a considerable expence in preparations for their recep- 
tion,^ which I now cannot excuse myself proceeding in 

I had before 20 families of near 100 souls upon the Island or 
engaged to it, & a sawmill erected there, which I believe 
contributed to determine the Germans in favour of it. 

Your Lordship may imagine that I plumed myself greatly 
on this Success ; & was not a little pleased at the prospect of 

^ First written "regard." 



MT. DESERT 83 

seeing a regular Town start up in one Summer, in a desert, at a 
distance from any other Town from 60 to 100 miles evry 
Way. When instead of receiving my Confirmation, I have 
advice from M' Jackson, that the objections to the Province's 
right are again revived. & the Confirmation of the grants are 
put off sine die. This is a grieveous disappointment : for 
tho' I should ^ hereafter get the Island, yet if by this delay I 
lose the German Colony, it will be a loss never to be retrieved. 
If indeed I should lose them & the Island too, it would be a 
kind of Httle ruin. I consider the Island at this time as in- 
debted to me for 1000 pounds stf & it is, allmost if not quite, 
the sum total of my Acquisitions in America ; it is peculiarly 
calculated^ for the present state of my house, worth nothing 
at present & valuable only in future ; & I do not expect to get 
anything from it myself, but it will be a valuable legacy to my 
Children after I shall, with expence & labour have made it no 
longer a desert Island. All that I've been to blaim for, is, 
that I have suffered my Activity & public spirit, to outrun 
my Prudence : & I could well apologise for that, if I could 
quote all the encouragements I have had to consider this 
Island as my own. But I hope & fully persuade myself that 
I shall not suffer by having been eager to people one spot of the 
Vast wast of his Majesty's Dominions. 

For this purpose I beg leave to engage your Lordship to 
be my advocate : to which End I have sent to M' Jackson 
all necessary Papers, among which are Memorials for the 
Secretary of State, & the board of Trade, with letters to 
the Sec^ of State & the first Lord. These M"' Jackson will 
cummunicate to y' Lordship, & will give you notice when the 
Matter is pressed, & will inform you, if it should be the Case, as 
I hope it will, where y"^ Lordships Interposition will not be 

1 First followed by "not," then crossed off. ^ First written "adapted." 



84 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

wanted as well as where it will be necessary: as I am very 
desirous that your Lordship should have as little trouble in 
this Affair as the Exigency's will admit of. 

I am &c 
The R* Honble The 
Lord Visc*^ Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Dec? 2^^ 1764 
My Lord 

I am favoured with yours of Sep^ 7 & Oct^ 3 both which 
came together. M^.^ Bernard has taken upon her to answer 
the latter ; & I beg leave to join therein 

I am in great hopes my Son will prove an usefull & Steady 
man : My Letters from England give me good Encouragement 
to expect it. It is a good account of him that as yet he has 
acquired no vitious habit whatsoever : and I am therefore 
desirous as soon as possible, to engage him in actual business, 
knowing what a dangerous state to a young man Want of 
Employment is. For this purpose it has been some time my 
intention to fix him in the Naval Office here, if your Lord- 
ship's kind intentention to ^ procure it for him should succeed. 
In this your Lordships friendly Care anticipates my own 
Sollicitude ; & has, I hope effectually inforced the particular 
considerations, which distinguish my Case from General rules. 

Upon the time of my sons full age arriving, Mf Pemberton 
of his own accord renewed his conversation with me on that 
subject, and as one of the objections, my Son's Minority was 
over, if the other of making the grant to two Names could 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. iii (Letter Book), p. 271. 

2 Followed by "fix him in the Naval Off," then changed to "procure." 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 85 

not be got over, he would Consent that the sign Manual 
might be made out in my Son's name upon the following 
terms. That to provide against accidents of death A Stipu- 
lation be enter'd in the proper office, if it may be, that at all 
events Mi" Pemberton shall enjoy the profits reserved to him- 
self, 2 thirds for 2 Years from SepF 1764 one half for 3 years 
& one third for life, this stipulation to be made secure to the 
Satisfaction of Aid? Baker M^ Pembertons friend Also that 
M^ Bernard shall not enter upon the Office till after the first 
2 Years & shall then Authorise M^ Pemberton to join in the 
Administrations of it for 3 Years more. Nevertheless Mf 
Pemberton is very desirous that the Grant should be joint & 
I should approve of it as it is warranted by former usage & is 
the least exceptionable Method. 

I am very much flattered with your Lordship's Account of 
my Lord Halifax's approbation of my Essay. Altho' the 
writing itself was an hasty work, the subject matter was the 
result of some Years consideration begun in the first days of 
my Government & carried on in the View of Seven Govern- 
ments which have been within the Circle of my observations ; 
but was never put upon paper untill June last & then finished 
in a fortnight in intervals of leisure during the sitting of the 
Assembly. I have endeavoured to ascertain principles for 
connecting America with great Britain with a true regard for 
both my Countries. 

As for Mount desert I have received numberless Assurances 
of it's being confirmed to me, some directed immediately to 
myself but many more thro' M}. Jackson. I still promise 
myself that I shall have it : tho' I cannot but regret that it 
has given so much trouble to my friends: for myself, trouble 
is my portion ; and I must neither decline nor regret it. 

I have the pleasure now to inform your Lordship, that M^ 



86 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Bernard has quite recovered her usual health, & seems to be 
in as good a state now as ever. However she must take Care 
of herself : She is not so able to bear this rough Chmate as I 
am, who enjoy as good health at the present as at any time 
of my Life. I have the pleasure to hear that your Lordship 
also enjoys your usual happy temperament : Long may it be 
preserved. I am with great gratitude and respect, 

The Right Honble 1 My Lord, Your Ldps 

The L*^ Vise'' Barringtonj &c &c 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Beckett Aug* s^^ 1765. 
Dear Sir, 

I have defer'd writing to you for many months expecting 
that my friend Lord Halifax would come to some determina- 
tion concerning the Employment now held by M^ Pemberton. 
I did every thing in my power to conquer his Lordship's 
Scruples, and indeed what seem'd to me sufficient for that pur- 
pose; but nothing was done when he resign'd the Seals. I 
have not half the reason to hope favour from his Successor 
tho' I have lived on very good terms with him all my life. 
Solicitation is intollerable to me, & would be impossible if it 
were new matter ; but such is my desire to serve you & my 
Cousin, that I will see what can be done in case any favour- 
able opportunity offers. I beg you will acquaint Mf Ber- 
nard of this with my best Compliments. 

I left this place about three weeks ago, went directly to the 
King and beg'd he would dispose of the Employment He had 
given me, in case it could be of any use to the settlement of 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 276. 



POLITICS 87 

his affairs under his new administration; & I came out of 
the Closet a second time Secretary at War to my great Sur- 
prise. I am at all times & in all situations Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful 
humble Servant 

Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square 12*^ Septm' 1765 
Dear Sir 

I acquainted you by the last Packet that Lord Halifax 
had left the Secretary of State's Ofi&ce, without doing any 
thing in regard to the Naval Office, tho' I did every thing in 
my power to remove his scruples. After so little success with 
one of the oldest & most intimate friends I have in the World, 
I can have but little expectation of succeeding with any 
body else : however, I have mentioned the Affair to General 
Conway, who has taken it under his consideration ; but I 
must confess to you, from what pass'd between us, I con- 
ceive very slight hopes, if any. I shall not know his final 
determination before Saturday's Packet sails, however I would 
not let it depart without carrying you this information; 
with assurances of my being with great truth and regard 
Dear Sir 

P.S. Your Excellencys 

I beg my best compliments Most faithful 

may be made to M"^ Bernard humble Servant 

& my young Cousins. Barrington 

^ " Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 296. 



88 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON i 

Boston, N. E. Nov' 15. 1765. 
My Lord, 

I am favoured with your Lordships letters of Aug* 5 & 
Sep"^ 12. I have long had a desire to write to your Lordship 
on subjects of more importance than those which have lately 
given your Lordship so much trouble: but the great Con- 
fusion which this Province, & more especially this Town, 
has been put into, has taken from me all choice of Correspond- 
encies. At present I only sit down to acknowledge your ^ 
Lordships last favours. 

I am heartily sorry that I ever moved this business, which 
has given your Lordship so much SoHcitude & myself so much 
Mortification. And yet for my own Justification, I must say 
that I had no Idea of its being a business of so much diffi- 
culty & Perplexity as I have found it to be. I argued upon 
the reasonableness of my request, & from thence concluded 
for its Practicability. I found myself in a Government of 
very great trouble, & very inadequate pay : I therefore per- 
suaded myself that I should be allowed to resort to Patron- 
age for some Compensation ; & what could I expect more 
favorable to me than a Patronage which had in all instances 
but one belonged to the Governor, & in an instance where I 
had paved the way by private Negotiations. I do not men- 
tion this by way of Complaint, but as an Apology for having 
led ycur Lordship into a fruitless Solicitation ; as from your 
Lordship last letter I conclude in the end will prove. 

I fear that M Temple's malicious & unjust Charge against 
me has made impressions to my disadvantage, or at least 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 38. 
2 First followed by "favours," then crossed off. 



MONEY MATTERS 89 

has created a Notion that I get money fast enough without 
any extraordinary favour. In regard to the general Imputa- 
tion against me, I have been very happy in having so good a 
friend as your Lordship, ready to defend me against a stab 
in the dark, which It was not in my power to guard myself 
against. It has been also a great Comfort to me to learn, 
that at those Offices, where my Conduct has been canvassed 
for upwards of seven Years, I had gained a credit, which 
formed a kind of ballance against M Temple's insinuations. 
And yet it has given me great Concern that I have never had 
an account of the Particulars of the Charge against me, nor 
an Opportunity to make a formal defence thereto. It is 
true, I may suppose from thence that it is entirely discredited ; 
but yet I could have wished that my Vindication had been at 
least as public as the Accusation was. 

As for my getting money in this Government, I would with 
pleasure give an Account of evry shilling I ever received : but 
perhaps the sum total will be sufficient. The certain Income 
of this Government including Salary & ordinary fees is 1000 
guineas a year at a medium. The Contingent profits arising 
from Shares of the forfeitures have in five Years amounted to 
about £1700 including the forfeiturs which M Temple 
grounded his Complaint upon. This makes £340 p Ann ; & 
the whole income for 5 Years may be called £1400 p Ann. 
I can't Spend less than 1000 £ p Ann ; & in some Years have 
spent 2 or 300 £ more. What then is there to lay up. I 
have lately made a rough Estimate of my whole Possessions : 
& I find myself worth 1000 pounds more than I was when I 
rec*^ my first Appointment; & have wondered at my being 
so rich. I have not been used to be so solicitous about my 
private profits : but the rising generation makes it evry day 
more & more my Duty. 



90 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

But whatever Success this, or any other Solicitation or 
expectation of mine may have, I shall allways retain a grate- 
ful Sense of your Lordships favor; To whom I owe evry 
thing which I now have, & to whom I am allready indebted 
beyond all power of retribution, except by sincere thanks & 
earnest good wishes. I hope very soon to write again to your 
Lordship ; possibly before I shall have dispatched this. 

I am, &c 
M"^ Bernard begs leave to 
join in Compliments to your 
Lordship & all our friends. 
Right Hon"'^ 

Lord Barrington. 

P.S. Nov^ 19. 

Since I have wrote the foregoing, I have seen M Pemberton 
who tells me that he finds that his Convention with me, has 
set other Persons upon treating about the disposal of his 
Office : of which he gives this instance. Commodore Loring 
(the Commanding Officer upon the Lakes) who lives near 
M Pemberton, came to him some time ago, & told him that 
he had received advice from London that he, M Pemberton, 
wanted to dispose of his Office ; & offered to treat with him 
for it on behalf of his Son who is an Officer in the Army. 
M' Pemberton declined the Treaty & avoided explanations 
as well as he could. Some time after, M Loring came again, 
& said that he was assured that M Pemberton had expressed 
his desire to quit his Office, & pressed him to treat with him. 
M Pemberton there Upon declared that what intention he 
had professed was in favour of my Son, & no one else ; that 
the Business was out of his hands & that he could treat with 
no body else : Upon which M Loring dropt his Sollicitation. 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 91 

This has alarmed M Pemberton, who is a cautious Man : 
and he is apprehensive that his treaty with me will bring 
upon him appHcations from others upon Terms prescribed to 
him. But I endeavour to persuade him that if your Lord- 
ship shall not prevail to have our Agreement carried into 
execution, you will not want Power or will to prevent any 
disadvantage being taken against him upon that account. 
However he proposes to write to the Duke of Newcastle, who 
has been a kind of Patron to him in regard to this Oflfice, & 
will inclose the letter unsealed in a cover to your Lordship. 
And I would beg leave to intimate to your Lordship, that 
if an Alteration in our Plan, such as an absolute Resignation 
would procure Success, I doubt not but I could easily come 
to terms with him : which I submit to your Lordships Con- 
sideration. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square 16. Dec'- 1765. 
Dear Sir, 

In a former Letter I acquainted you that I had spoken to 
M5 Secretary Conway about your son's appointment : 
no thing has been done in that matter, but I have better 
hopes than I had formerly of my Success. 

I most sincerely pitty North America, & every body in it ; 
particularly those in most authority. I am confident one 
Governor at least will do his duty. I am in very great haste 
but as great truth D"^ Sir= 

Your most faithful & 
obedient Servant 
My best Comp^ to my Barrington. 

Cousins. 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 328. 



92 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD » 

Cavendish Square Feb : 6. 1766. 
Dear Sir, 

I received your Letters of the 15*;*^ November yesterday. 
The Packett goes out again the day after to morrow ; I am 
engaged in a great deal of office business, and the House of 
Commons sitts on American affairs continually till two or 
three in the morning. This does not hinder my acknowleg- 
ing most cordially your remembrance of me ; but it prevents 
my answering your Letters as I ought, or acquainting you 
with the present state of affairs here. I hope your other 
Correspondents are not so busy. 

In my last Letter I acquainted you that M^ Secretary 
Conway had given me hopes that the Naval office of your 
Province would be confer 'd jointly on M^ Pemberton and 
your Son. Those expectations have been since confirm'd, & 
I am not without an Idea that the thing may be actually 
done before the Packet sails. Your Conduct which has 
obtain'd the highest approbation and most publick and general 
commendation,^ has done infinitely more than any friendly 
efforts of mine. Your Correspondence with the Ministry 
laid before both Houses of Parliament is universally admired ; 
I wish the Publication of it may not produce any incon- 
veniences in America. 

M' Temple's representations against you have had no 
effect, and I shall always be watchful for your Service, both 
at the Treasury and the Council. 

I have just had time to look over your most ingenious 
Letter on the Subject of North America. I shall studdy it 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 332. 
Tirst written " approbation." 



REFORMATIONS 93 

very closely my self, and will make the proper communications 
of it. 

I am with my best Comp! to M^-^ Bernard & all my Cousins, 
Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 

& obedient Servant 

Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 1 

Boston Nov: 23 1765 
My Lord 

It is not above a Year since I troubled your Lordship with 
Copies of an Essay to dehneate the Principles of Law & 
Polity 2 applicable to the British Colonies in America. Among 
these two principal Conclusions were, that the Regulation 
& Reformation of the American Goverments was then be- 
come a necessary Work; and that the present was the most 
proper time to undertake that Work. If I could have then 
spoke out with that earnestness with which I thought upon 
the Subject, I should have urged it as a Business which would 
admit of no Delay ; a Business to which all others ought to 
have been postponed ; as it was itself a necessary Preparative 
to allmost all others. But unfortunately (I speak it feelingly) 
the Business of the Finances took the Lead : this was un- 
doubtedly an Urgent & primary Concern of the Councils of 
Great Britain ; but it did not follow that it ought to be im- 
mediately extended to America. A little Consideration 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 47. This letter is printed in 
Select Letters on the Trade and Government of America by Governor Bernard 
(London, 1774), p. 29. Some portions of the printed letter are quite different 
from the manuscript ; the important differences are here noted. 

* See Select Letters, p. 71. 



94 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

would have made it at least doubtfull whether an inland 
Taxation of the Americans was practicable or equitable at 
that ^ Time. If I had had the Ques'tion put to me I think 
I should have proved the Negative in both particulars.^ 

It must have been supposed that such an Innovation as a 
Parliamentary Taxation would cause a great Alarm & meet 
with much Opposition in most parts of America ; It was 
quite new to the People, & had no visible Bounds set to it ; 
The American's declared that they would not submit to it 
before the Act passed ; & there was the greatest probabihty 
that it would require the utmost ^ Power of Government to 
carry it into Execution. Whereas at this Time the Govern- 
ments were weak & impotent to a amazing Degree ; The 
Governors ■* & the ^ Oihcers of the Crown in several of the 
cheif Provinces intirely dependent upon the People for Sub- 
sistence ; The Popular Scale so much weigtier than the Royal, 
that it required Address & management & frequent temporiz- 
ing to preserve a tolerable ballance ; The Persons of the 
Governors & Crown-Officers quite defenceless, & exposed to 
the Violence of the People without any possible Resort for 
Protection. Was this a Time to introduce so great a Novelty 

as a Parliamentary inland Taxation into America ! ? 

Nor was the Time less favourable ^ to the Equity of such a 
Taxation. I do not mean to dispute the Reasonableness of 
America contributing to the charges "^ of Great Britain when 
she is ^ able : nor, I beleive would the Americans themselves 
have disputed it at a proper Time & Season. But it should 
be considered that the American Governments themselves 

^ The word is "this" in Select Letters. ' * First written "Government." 

'^ First written "Instances." ^ Omitted in Select Letters. 

^ First written "greatest." ^ First written "unfavourable." 

' First written "relieving the incumbrances," then changed to " the charges." 
' First written "was." 



REFORMATIONS 95 

have, in the prosecution of the late War, contracted very 
large debts, which it will take some Years to pay off, & in 
the mean Time occasion very burthensome Taxes for that 
Purpose only. For instance, this Government, which is as 
much before hand as any, raises every Year "^37,500 sterhng 
for sinking their Debt, & must continue it for 4 Years longer 
at least before it will be clear. If therefore the par- 
liamentary Taxation had been postponed for this Time, & 
the interval employed in regulating & strengthening the 
Governments, It probably might have been then introduced 
without much Difficulty. Now it seems that both one & the 
other are at ^ greater distance that ever. 

It were much to be wished that America could be brought 
to the State it was in, two Years ago; when there was a general 
Disposition to submit to regulations & requisitions necessary 
to the Reformation of the Governments & ascertaining their 
relation to Great Britain. But that Time is past & not to 
be retreived : since the Insurrections against the Stampt- 
Act, The Americans have found the Governments so con- 
temptibly weak & the People so superior to the ^ Royal Au- 
thority, that they are not a little elated upon their Triumphs 
over the defenceless Officers of the Crown; & seem to be 
resolved that their ^ Idea of their Relation to Great Britain, 
however extravagant various & inconsistent shall be the 
standard of it. So that it is ^ to be feared that it will cost 
much time & Treasure ^ to bring America to that Degree of 
Submission, which the Parhament will think necessary to 
require of them. The Question will not be whether there 

1 The words are "at a greater distance" in Select Letters. 

^ Omitted in Select Letters. 

^ Followed by "Relation," then crossed off. 

* Followed by "much," then crossed off. 

^ Followed by "(& perhaps some blood)," then crossed off. 



96 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

shall be a Stamp Act or not; but whether America shall or 
shall not be Subject to the Legislature of Great Britain. 

It is my Opinion that all the Political Evils in America 
arise from the Want of ascertaining the Relation between 
Great Britain & the American Colonies. Hence it is that 
Ideas of that Relation are formed in Britain & America, so 
very repugnant & contradictory to each other.^ In Britain 
the American Governments are considered as Corporations 
empowered to make by-Laws, existing only during the 
Pleasure of Parliament, who hath never yet done any thing 
to confirm their Establishment, & hath at any Time a Power 
to dissolve them. In America they claim (I mean in - publick 
Papers,) to be perfect States,^ no otherwise dependent upon 
Great Britain than by having the same King ; which having 
compleat Legislatures within themselves, are no ways subject 
to that of Great-Britain; which in such Instances as it has 
heretofore exercised a legislative Power over them has usurped 
it. In a Difference so very * wide who shall determine ? The 
Parhament of Great Britain? No, say the Americans (I 
mean the violent & foolish ^ of them) ; that would be to make 
them Judges in their own Cause. Who then? the King? 
He is bound by Charters &^ Constitutions equal to Charters; 
& cannot decree^ against his own Grants. So at this Rate 
there is no superior Tribunal to determine upon the Rights 
& Priviledges of the American Colonies. 

But the general Plea of the Americans against the Stamp 

^ First written "one another." 

^The words are " in the publick" in Select Letters. 

^ First written "compleat Governments," then changed to "perfect States." 

* Omitted in Select Letters. 

^ The words "& foolish" are omitted in Select Letters. 

* The word is "or" in Select Letters. 

' The word is "declare" in Select Letters. 



REFORMATIONS 97 

Act is that they are not represented in Parliament, & therefore 
not liable to be taxed by it. To which it has been answered in 
England, that they are, virtually represented in Parhament. 
Each of these Pleas tends to expose its own Cause : If the 
Americans rest their Defence upon their not being represented, 
It is in the Power of the Parhament by admitting representa- 
tives from America to take away all Pretence of their not 
being bound by its Acts ; On the other side, if the Notion of 
the Americans being virtually represented should be falsified 
in fact, the Plea of the Americans will remain in its full Force. 
Whereas The Right of the Parhament of Great Britain to 
make Laws for the American Colonies is founded upon its 
being the Supreme Imperial Legislature, to which all Members 
of the Empire, whether represented or not, are subject in all 
Matters & Things & in Manner & Form as shall be judged 
most convenient for the whole. 

But tho the Parhament of Great Britain does not stand in 
Need of a Real or Virtual Representation to ground its Au- 
thority over the Colonies, it may now be worth Consideration 
whether Admitting Representatives from the Colonies may 
not be a Proper expedient for the present Exigencies. Two 
Years ago a proposal of this Kind would not have bore an^ 
hearing : But so much is America altered by the late financial 
Acts, that a New System of PoHcy & of a more refined Kind 
than was wanted heretofore, is now become needful. The 
Patchwork Governemnt of America will last no longer: 
The Necessity of a Parliamentary establishment of the 
Government of America upon fixed Constitutional Principles 
is brought on with a Precipitation which could not have been 
foreseen but a Year ago; & is become more urgent by the 
very Incidents which make it more difficult. The Circum- 

^ Printed "borne a" in Select Letters. 



98 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

stance of the Americans justifying their Disobedience by 
their not being represented ^ points out a Method to inforce 
their Obedience upon their own Principles. Take them at 
their Word ; let them send Representatives for the present 
Time & for the present Purposes : 30^ for the Continent & 15^ 
for the Islands would be sufficient. In this Parliament, the 
Colonies being actually represented, Let the Affair of the 
American Governments be canvassed to the Bottom; & let 
a general uniform System of American Government be formed 
& Established by Act of Parhament, by which the Americans 
according to their own Principles will be bound ; and let the 
Relation of America to Great Britain be determined & ascer- 
tained by a Solemn Recognition; so that the Rights of the 
American Governments & their Subordination to that of 
Great Britain may no longer be a Subject of Doubt & Dispu- 
tation. When this Great Wo k is done the American Repre- 
sentatives may be dismissed & left to attend their own legisla- 
tures, which will then know the Bounds of their own Authority.^ 
Ireland^ affords an Example for the Usefuhiess of this Work 

^ Followed by "in Parliament," then crossed off. 

2 First written " 20." ' First written "10." 

'' In Select Letters the words "or may be continued, as shall be found most 
adviseable" are added after the word "Authority." 

* The following paragraph in the Select Letters differs so much from the above, 
that it is here given in full. 

"Ireland affords an example of the usefulness of this work, and the manner 
of doing it. It is owing to the wise administration of Ireland, when it was 
first made a kingdom, that the form of government of that island, which is as 
perfect for a dependent, as that of Great Britain for a supreme power, has 
lasted now for two hundred and seventy years, without wanting the least amend- 
ment of fundamentals. Haply America, in the formation of her government, 
had not the same care taken of her, to regulate her policy, and prevent the 
mischiefs which the uncertainty of the relative powers of civil government, 
supreme and subordinate, is now bringing on like a torrent. The civil policy 
of America is composed of temporary expedients, all derived from the Crown 
only; not one of the American governments has that sanction which none of 



REFORMATIONS 99 

& the Manner of doing it. It is owing to the wise Administra- 
tion of S"' Edward Poynings in Henry the 7*^*^ Time, that the 
Form of Government of that Island, which is as perfect for a 
dependent, as that of Great Britain for a supreme Power, 
has lasted now for 270 Years, without wanting the least 
Amendment of Fundamentals. Haply America has not had 
a Poynings to regulate her Policy & prevent the Mischeifs, 
which the Uncertainty of the Relative Powers of civil Gover- 
ment, imperial & subordinate, is now bringing on like Torrent. 
The Civil Policy of America is composed of temporary Ex- 
pedients all derived from the Crown only; not one of the 
American Governments has that Sanction which none of them 
ought to be without, a parliamentary Estabhshment. And 
untill the parliament shall estabhsh the American Govern- 
ments upon a constitutional bottom, & ascertain the Limita- 
tion's & extension's of their Legislatures, It must be expected 
that the Governments will be continually subject to disturb- 
ance, whenever the Americans think fit to complain of 
innovations upon & infringements of their Rights; that is 
whenever any thing is required of them which they don't like. 
Ireland also affords Instances of every Kind of Regulation 
which America wants; which may be brought under these 
Heads, i. The Governments (especially in the Old & settled^ 
Countries) should be composed of such ample Districts, as 
will enable the People to keep up the State of Government 
without feeling the Burthen of it. 2 : There should be one 

them ought to be without, a parliamentary establishment. And, until the 
Parliament shall establish the American governments upon a constitutional 
bottom, and ascertain the limitations and extensions of their legislatures, it 
must be expected that the governments will be continually subject to dis- 
turbance, whenever the Americans think fit to complain of innovations upon, 
and infringements of, their rights; that is, whenever any thing is required 
of them which they don't like." 

1 Followed by "Funds," then crossed off. 



lOO BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Form of Government as like as possible to that of Great 
Britain, that is the same as Ireland, with a true Middle Legisla- 
tive Power, appointed by the King for Life & separate from 
the privy Council. 3. There should be a certain & sufi&cient 
civil List laid upon perpetual Funds for the Support of all 
his Majestys Officers, so that they may not be too much 
dependent upon the People. 4. The Several American Govern- 
ments should Maintain such standing Forces as shall be 
thought necessary to be kept up in America as their quota of 
the general Armament of the Empire, by raising the Sums 
requisite therefor & paying the same into the Kings Treasury ^ 
in America ; the Numbers of Men,^ & proportions of the 
several Governments to be settled by the Parliament of Great 
Britain. 5. There should be a solemn Recognition of the 
Supremacy of the Parliament of Great Britain over the Ameri- 
can Governments, which should be the first Act of each 
Legislature after its new Establishment & be The condition 
of its Activity. 6} There should be a general Rivisal of the 
Laws of America, that they may be reduced as near as possible 
to the Standard of England & the Administration of Govern- 
ment & Law may be render'd as similar thereto as well may be.^ 
You see here, my Lord, a Scheme for settling America ; 
which, I doubt not, will appear to be very extravagant. It 
may be ^ so ; but such also is the State of the Country ; ex- 

1 First written "Treasuries." 

2 Followed by "Sums of Money," then crossed off. 

^ This sentence was first written "There should be also (which should may 
be included in the same Act) a Bill of the Rights of the People, which should be 
declared to be the same with those of the People of England, the Dependency 
xcepted," then crossed off. 

* This was added, then crossed off: — "8. In all omitted and doubtfuU 
Cases The English Constitution should be the Guide ; or, if it should be thought 
necessary, the Parliament should determine it." 

^ First written "is so." 



REFORMATIONS loi 

traordinary Disorders require extraordinary Means of Cure. 
It seems to me that the Government of Great Britain never 
had, in my Time, a more difi&cult Business, than what the 
Americans have now put into their Hands. If therefore any 
Scheme can be proposed, which by constitutional Means will 
probably compose the present Disorder's & prevent the like 
for the future, it is worth attending to. For this Purpose 
I have put these Thoughts into writing, in a hasty Manner ; 
for at present I can write no otherwise : and I ^ communicate 
them to your Lordship ; that if you should think they deserve 
a deliberate Consideration you may procure it for them. 
I shall think myself very happy, if I can contribute to the 
restoring the Peace of America & establishing the Governments 
of it upon a Constitutional & permanent Basis, according to 
the foregoing or any other System. The Opportunities I 
have had of observing the Policy & Manners of many of the 
Governments of North America have afforded me a Knowl- 
edge which might be made useful, if I could freely communicate 
it; which cannot be done without my personal Attendance. 
I say this upon ^ presumption that some effectual ^ Alteration ^ 
of the Government of America ^ is like to be brought on the 
carpet : but if nothing is ^ to be done but making Peace with 
the Americans, & letting them go on in their own Way & 
according to their own Notions, No great Consideration will 
be necessary.^ 

I have extended this letter so far that I have not room to say 

1 Followed by "have thought proper to," then crossed off. 

2 In Select Letters "upon a presumption." 
'First written "great." 

*The word is "regulation" in Select Letters. 

^ First followed by "will soon take place," then crossed off. 

'First written "will be." 

' The printed text ends here in Select Letters. 



I02 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

much ^ of myself : but M"^ Pownall can inform your Lordship 
in that respect as well as^ I can.^ For near 3 months I 
have been under great difi&culties & not without danger : 
Once my house was invested (the same night the Lieut Gov- 
ernors house was distroyed) but preserved by the remonstrances 
of the Neighbours, ourselves being at the Castle ; twice have 
I ^ sent away any papers plate &c ; once I expected to be 
obliged to quit the Province for several days together ; but 
the peremptoriness of my instructions made ^ me desrious of 
trying evry experiment first, & I got over that difficulty. 
Even Now I am in continual expectation of fresh dis- 
turbances arising, of which I may^ partake more or less. 
But I have done my duty tho' it has been a Severe one at 
this time : I have waged a most unequal War, & can hardly ^ 
now procure the liberty of remaining Neutral without pretend- 
ing to exercise any real Authority. I send your Lordships 
copies of the ^ principle papers which have passed between me 
& the house of representatives, from which you will see that 
All my Crime is vindicating the right of parliament to make 
laws for y^ American Colonies : a conduct unavoidable by me 
whatever were the Consequences. 

I am &c 
The Right Honble 
The Lord Vise' Barrington. 

^ First written "any thing." 

2 First written "more minutely than," then changed to "as well as." 

' First followed by "myself. At present I can only say that," then crossed 

ofif. 

* First written "We." ^ First written "got." ; 

8 First written "shall." "> First written "not." 

^ Followed by "grand altercation" then changed to "principle papers which 

have passed." 



DIFFICULTIES 103 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston Jan: 11 1766 
My Lord 

I am desired to certify to your Lordship, that at the begin- 
ning of the Year 1764 Gen! Gage at my Request, gave Leave 
to Ensign Francis Miller of the 45 regiment, then stationed 
in Newfoundland to come to Boston to assist me in some 
Works of Public Surveying, which I had undertaken in pursu- 
ance of resolutions of the general Assembly & partly by Orders 
from England. M"^ Miller being then at an outpost & not 
easily releived did not arrive at Boston till Nov^ in that 
Year, when the Seazon for actual Surveying was over. He 
was employed that Winter & Spring following in protracting 
the Surveys made that Summer, among which was a compleat 
Rout from Fort Pownal on the River penobscot to Quebec, & 
some other curious explorations of the Eastern parts of New 
England hitherto unknown to Englishmen : of which, elegant 
Maps drawn by M"" Miller have been transmitted to the 
Board of Trade. Early in the Last Summer I employed M' 
Miller (having previously informed Gen! Gage of the Inten- 
tion) to make an actual Survey from Boston to Albany & 
back again by another Way being near 200 Miles; & after- 
wards from Boston to penobscot being above 200 Miles; 
by which Means a true Geometrical Line of 400 Miles in 
length through part of new York & all the habitable part of 
New-England has been obtained, which will afford great 
Assistance to the Ascertaining the Geography of this Country & ' 
its Sea Coast. After this Survey was finished he was employed 
in protracting the Same & making Drawings thereof which 
he has done with great Accuracy & Elegance. 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 72. 



I04 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Whilst he was engaged in this Business, He received 
orders to follow his Regiment to Ireland : upon which he 
wrote to his Colonell acquainting him with the Employment 
he was in & by whose Leave & Order he was engaged in it ; 
& that, as soon as he had finisht, he should join his regiment. 
He is now embarking for England for that purpose : and, 
least the Occassion of his Absence should be misunderstood, 
he has desired that I would acquaint your Lordship of the 
forementioned particulars. This I do in Justice to him; & 
can add that he is very deserving, not only on Account of the 
Works aforesaid, but as a faithfu Officer in general, he having 
been in the Service of this Province in their provincial Troops 
during the whole Late War ; at the End of which he procured 
his present Commission 

I am, &c 
The Right Hon'^':" the 
Lord Viscount Barrington 
Secretary of War. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD^ 

Cavendish Square 25. March 1766. 
Dear Sir, 

At last the Commission constituting my Cousin your son 
and M^ Pemberton joint naval officers has past the Secre- 
rary's office, and M"^ Jackson has undertaken to take it out. 
I cannot assume to my self any merit in this success : General 
Conway is my very good friend, but not more so than his 
Predecessor's, who none of them did what I desired ; and the 
present Secretary of State demur'd for several months after 
my appHcation. You are obliged for your Success to your 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 344. 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 105 

abilities and merit, universally acknowleged by all who 
know anything of what has past in your part of the World. 
I hope it is only a begining of future rewards more adequate 
to your Services. I am with my best Compliments to M""? 
Bernard and all my Cousins, as likewise with the most perfect 
Esteem and and regard 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
Most faithful & 

Most obedient Servant 
Barrington. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ' 

Cavendish Square 26'^ March 1766. 
Dear Sir 

I receiv'd your Letter dated the ii^'^ of January, in favour 

of Ensign Francis Miller whom I immediately recommended 

to his Colonel Major General Boscawen, from whom I have 

receiv'd a Note herewith enclos'd. I hope there has been no 

mistake in the disposal of this Officer's Commission but 

I know nothing of the transaction, the Regiment being on the 

Irish Establishment. I am with great truth & regard 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellencys 

Most faithful & 

Most Obedient 

humble Servant 

Barrington 

* " Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 352. 



lo6 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON * 

Boston, Mar 27. 1766. 
My Lord, 

I am favoured with your Lordships letter of Dec*^ 16 ; 
for which I beg leave to return my thanks. My situation 
here has been very disagreeable, not to say dangerous, for 
above this half Year : & I wonder to find myself here at this 
time. Altho' I have allways preserved the firmness of my 
mind, yet It has occasioned some distraction in my Councils ; 
as I have foreseen & still do foresee infinite difficulties in 
bringing North America, & especially this Government, into 
good order again. In this Province, the late Fermentation has 
stirred up all the ill humours, which had been before kept 
under, & set them above all Government & order. 

This has been the occasion of my troubling your Lordship 
with a tedious Letter on the Subject of North America ; 
which I should have had much reason ^ to have apologised for. 
If the Importance of the Subject & your Lordships pubhc 
Station should not excuse it. It has now obUged me to write 
a long Letter to the Secretary of State, to show the Necessity 
of myself or the L*' Gov being ordered home to make a report 
of the present State of this Province. I have accompanied 
this with a Letter to M Pownall, who gives me frequent 
proofs of his friendship, to desire that He would consult my 
friends about the Advisableness of my coming home, con- 
cerning which there are in my mind many doubts & difficulties, 
tho' upon the whole I think it best for me to go home. Upon 
this occasion I cannot excuse myself informing your Lordship 
of this Business in the first instance, which I shall do by 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 96. 

* First written "occasion." 



THE NAVAL OFFICE 107 

inclosing Copies of the forementioned Letters. The L* 
Gov"^ is acquainted with these Letters, & is quite indifferant 
about the Decision ; as I shall also be with the determination 
of my friends, if your Lordship will be so good as to consider 
Yourself, as I must ever do, the chief of them, whatever your 
Lordship shall think most proper, I suppose, must be easily 
affected. 

Since I have begun this Letter M Pemberton has been with 
me & showed a Letter he has wrote to your Lordship & another 
to the Duke of Newcastle concerning his Office & our Agre- 
ment. I should have been glad to have saved your Lordship 
this trouble at a time when I am giving your Lordship much 
more upon another Subject. But M' Pemberton has acted so 
honorably with me, that I know not how to restrain him in 
taking such precautions as he shall think necessary to his own 
Security. Besides these Letters will give Your Lordship 
little more trouble than the reading, unless your Lordship shall 
think proper to make use of them with the Duke of New- 
castle. 

I am, &c 
The R* Honble 

The L^ V^ Barrington. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD* 

Cavendish Square June 8. 1766. 
Dear Sir, 

I have received your Letter of the 27'?* March, with one 

inclosed therewith for the Duke of Newcastle from MF 

Pemberton : I have not deliver'd it to his Grace, because a 

joint grant to him and your Son past some time ago, (as I have 

already inform'd you; ) and in the manner desired by all 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 13. 



io8 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Parties. I again congratulate you on the final conclusion of 
that business. 

I have consulted with MF Jackson and M' Pownall on 
the subject of your return : The former seems not to expect 
much advantage either to you or the PubUck from coming 
hither : The latter apprehends you in some danger where 
you are, and therefore wishes you at a distance from Boston. 
If that be the case, every friend you have must be of the 
same opinion ; but if you can remain in your Government 
with tollerable quiet and safety, I cannot advise you to 
leave it till some other better provision is made for you; a 
thing to which your Services universally known give you an 
indisputable Claim : We do not however Hve in times when 
such Claims are much regarded. I see no disposition, or 
indeed as things are constituted ability to settle any thing 
permanently, either at home or abroad ; and therefore an 
expensive inconvenient Journey would only produce vexation 
and disappointment. I may be mistaken in the opinion I 
now give ; but I am sure it is disinterested ; for I wish very 
much to see you after so long an absence. 

The Parliament is just broke up without any considerable 
changes : We have got the Duke of Richmond for the Duke 
of Grafton, and his Grace has the Southern department ; 
but it was agreed that America should be given to the board 
of Trade or a third Secretary of State : However this is 
not done, or at present much talk'd of. 

I beg you will present my affectionate Compliments to all my 
Cousins, and believe me to be with the most perfect Esteem 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
Most faithful 
and most obedient Servant 
Barrington. 



POLITICS 109 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD » 

Cavendish Square July 12. 1766. 
Dear Sir, 

Since I wrote to you last, rather advising against your 
coming here, an Event has happen'd which may possibly 
induce me to alter my opinion : if it does you shall hear from 
me again by next Packett. The King has sent for Mr Pitt 
who arrived in Town yesterday, and a new arrangement of 
administration is expected. God grant it may be solid, exten- 
sive and permanent, with wisdom and decision. If I see a 
disposition in any new Establishment of this kind to go 
properly to work with the Colonies, you may be very useful 
here. I am with great truth and Esteem Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 

Obedient humble Servant 
Barrington. 
My best Comp! attend 
all my Cousins. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON* 

Boston July s**" 1766 
My Lord 

I am honoured with your Lordships Letter of Mar: 25 
acquainting me with the Favour of Secretary Conway con- 
ferred on me thro your Lordships Mediation. I am very glad 
that any Services of mine have gained me so much Credit as 
to shew me not wholly unworthy of your Friendship. I 
can assure your Lordship that my Desire of not discrediting 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 25. 
^ Ibid., vol. V (Letter Book), p. 138. 



no BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

your Lordships Recommendation has always had a consider- 
able, Influence over my PubHc Conduct. And your Lordships 
Approbation of it alone is to me a very pleasing Reward. 
I have not yet received the Sign Manual, as soon as I do I 
shall think it proper to pay my Compliments to Secretary 
Conway. At present I must desire your Lordship to accept 
mine & M"^^ Bernards hearty Thanks for this great Addition 
to your Lordship's former good Offices to me & our Family ; 
which we hope will never be forgot by any Branch of it. 

I am obliged still to maintain a political Warfare with the 
Popular party : The Kindness of the King & parliament has 
not had the Effect in this place which it ought to have. I 
have just got thro' a very troublesome Session in which the 
House of Representatives with great Imprudence as well as 
Ingratitude have treated the Kings Authority with fresh 
Indignity : I have not been wanting in shewing a proper Resent- 
ment of it. I am now preparing exact Accounts of these 
Transactions for the Secretary of State and the board of 
Trade; & flatter myself that the Spirit I have shewn upon 
this occasion will meet with Approbation. It was lucky for 
me that my Conduct was at that Time set in an high Light 
as a friend to this Country by many Letters from London 
which were printed in the papers here. This served not only 
to strengthen my Resolution, but has contributed to make 
my Conduct on this Occasion most generally applauded. 

I am in great hopes that I shall soon receive Orders or 

Leave to come to England Such a movement would be very 

timely on many Accounts ; And I am sure that I could be of 

more Service to his Majesty at the present Time, at London 

than at Boston. 

I am &c 
The Right Hon'^l" 

the Lord Vise* Barrington 



CHARLES PAXTON III 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON i 

Boston July 25 1766 
My Lord 

I beg Leave to introduce to your Lordship M"^ Paxton a 
Gentleman of Boston who has been in the Service of the 
Crown in the Custom House the best part of his Life with the 
highest Fidelity & Reputation. His Intimacy with me & 
knowledge of my Conduct and the Cheif Motives of it will 
enable him to satisfy your Lordship in all Matters of Enquiry 
which you shall want to make concerning me. And his per- 
fect Knowledge of the Business of the Custom house will 
make him a fit person to be referred to in Regard to any 
Complaint that has been or shall be made against me. And 
your Lordship will generally find him very intelligent in the 
Afifairs of this Coimtry 

I am &c 
Lord Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 2 

Cavendish Square Sep^^ii*)' 1766. 
Dear Sir, 

I am to acknowlege two Letters from you, one dated the 
5l^ and the other the 25. of July. The last was brought to 
me by M^ Paxton, with whom I have conversed on your 
Subject. He is very much your friend, and if I see occasion 
to trouble him farther, he has allow'd me to do it. I am very 
sorry to hear by him that my Cousin has been indisposed; 
but he assures me she is much better. I find that your old 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 140. 
^ Ibid., vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 31. 



112 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

friend M^ Temple has sent home some Complaints against 
you ; but I am persuaded the Treasury will not judge from a 
partial reason. 

Your Letter of the 5*.** of July mentions those unhappy 
differences between your Excellency & the Assembly of which 
I had indeed heard before. That Circumstance may incline 
you more than before to return hither for some time : I hope 
whenever you come, that you will be hear'd patiently and 
your opinion have the greatest weight. Nobody will embrace 
you with more satisfaction than my self. 

Since my Last Lord Hillsborough has return'd to the Board 
of Trade. I trust that we have a deciding Ministry, (all 
the world agrees that it has ability.) and that it will be perma- 
nent: I hate changes, and I am always with great truth & 
Esteem Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 

humble Servant 

Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 1 

Boston, Sept^ i, 1766. 
My Lord, 

I am much obliged to your Lordship for your kind letter of 
June 8 ; wherein you observe the different Opinions of two of 
my friends on the Subject of my return. M Jackson expects 
no Advantage from thence, either to the public, or myself; 
M Pownall apprehends me to be in danger where I am; I 
fear they are both in the Right. From all Accounts we 
learn that the Councils of Great Britain are in such a State 
of Instability, that the Measures necessary to the Support of 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 144. 



DANGERS AT BOSTON 113 

the Sovreignty of Great Britain over America, cannot at 
present be pursued ; & the misfortune is, that from the same 
Cause, they are becoming evry day more & more necessary. 
The Americans see the Weakness of Great Britain, arising 
from their internal Divisions ; & from thence they are encour- 
aged to form pretensions, which they would not have dared 
to have hinted at, if they did not depend upon the Disunion 
of the Sovreign State. In such a Case, I can be of no Service 
to the publick, let my Informations be ever so Authentick, 
or my Advice ever so salutary. But then the Consequence is, 
that it is high time for evry Crown Officer in America, who 
has distinguished himself by his fidelity to the King, to get 
away before his retreat is cut off. If the Administration of 
Great Britain is not able to take necessary Measures to support 
its Authority over the Colonies, it cannot be expected that 
they should be able to protect the King's Officers against 
the popular power of the Colonists ; which must be evry day 
encreasing at the Expence of Great Britain, 

M Pownall has long ago expressed great Concern at the 
danger I am in at this Place, and with Reason ; for many 
People here have wondered at my having hitherto escaped : 
perhaps my firmness has contributed to it ; but that won't do 
at all times, I think the Trial is still to come, especially as 
I have of late found myself obliged to strike some bold Strokes 
on the behalf of the King ; which, tho' they have been gener- 
ally approved of, will excite some of the Wickedest people 
who are hurt by them, to do me some singular Mischief, 
I advertised M Pownall of the Necessity of this Conduct of 
mine, some time before it took place ; & from thence argued 
for the Propriety of my being ordered home at the present. 
The Crisis which I apprehended most danger from, is the 
Introduction of King's Troops into this Town ; which having 



114 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

become necessary to the Support of the Government, will be 
placed to the Account of the Governor : altho' I^ know nothing 
of the Designations for that purpose, & it seems intended 
that I shall not. The Faction at Boston have declared that 
they will not suffer Troops to come in this Town ; & if they 
come cross the Country, (as has been reported) that they will 
never reach this Town. Now, tho' I dont think that they 
will dare to oppose the King's Troops in form, yet they are 
like enough to resort to the Cowardly Expedient of avenging 
themselves on the King's Servants, defenceless as they will be, 
before they will have the protection of the Troops. And 
after the Troops arrive, I shall have a difficult part to act : 
if I seem to depend upon their protection, I shall be charged 
with pusillanimity ; If I totally disregard it, perhaps my 
Confidence in my own Innocence^ & the Security, which ought 
to arise from thence, may be turned to my Ruin. And yet 
it is strange ^ to say that I am charged here with no other 
offence against the People, than the high Sense I have of the 

Sovreignty of Great Britain, & my duty to support it 

I therefore wish that I may receive a discretionary power to 
go to England, if it becomes necessary ; that at least I may 
not be obliged to stay here, when it is no longer safe for me. 
I shall be very unwilhng to take an expensive Voyage to no 
purpose ; it would make too great a hole in my fortune : but 
possibly I may have no Choice, or the Alternative may be 
much worse. 

I have been very loath to turn my Eyes from this Province ; 
it is rather too late in Life for me to form new Schemes; 
& therefore it was my Intention rather to endeavour to get 
this Government improved (as it ought to be at all Events) 

1 Followed by "have," then crossed off. 

^ First written "Ruin." ' First written "hard." 



DESIRES TO LEAVE BOSTON 115 

than look out for a better: But this Purpose, in the manner 
I intended it, is defeated by the late Troubles ; and no Improve- 
ment can be made in this Government but with the high hand 
of Parliament : So that It will be a^ vain attempt to get my 
Salary augmented with the good will of the present Rulers 
of the People. And now it seems to me that there must be, 
sooner or later, effectual Measures taken for reforming this 
Government, which will be unpleasing to the People in their 
Present Plenitude of Power. In such Case the Old Gov"^ will 
be made obnoxious, whether he is or is not ^ advising or privy 
to such Measures : & it may be advisable upon that Acco* 
only, to appoint a new Govr This Consideration has induced 
me to think of looking out for another Establishment : & I 
have been the more encouraged in it, by the many Letters 
rec** here, advising that it was intended to remove me to a 
better Government; one of which, from a Gent" who has 
admission to some great People, expressly named Jamaica. 
There are now vacant 4 Governm*^^ Jamaica, Leward Islands, 
Barbadoes, & Nova Scotia. The two former I should decline^ 
upon account of the Climate ; which I apprehend would not suit 
my saguine Complexion : & the State of my Family obliges me to 
have some regard to my Health. Barbadoes I should most 
thankfully accept. Nova Scotia at another time, I should con- 
sider as a banishment : but even that would be more acceptable, 
(especially if I could have it upon Terms more advantageous ' 
than the present) than to be left here to fight the King's 
Battles, without protection, support, or maintenance. It is 
said that Lord Cha^ Greville is to be removed to Jamaica : 
South Carolina, which I should decline, if I had a prospect 
of being quieted here with an adequate Salary, would be more 

1 Followed by "high," then crossed off. 

^ Followed by "obnoxious," then crossed off. ' First written "acceptable." 



Ii6 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

agreable, than to be left here in my present Situation. You 
see, My Lord, What a distraction of wants & wishes I am 
reduced to : & I would fly away from it, in hopes of negotiating 
for myself to some purpose, if I had any prospect of Success. 

I have made this Letter longer than I intended, for which 
I must depend upon your Lordships usual Indulgence. I wish 
your Lordship would give M Pownall an Opportunity of 
perusing this Letter, & afterwards talk with him upon the 
Subject : in this Expectation, I shall say the less to him upon 
it. I expect to hear from M'' Jackson by the first Ships from 
London, & then perhaps shall learn what is intended to be 
done with me : at present your Lordships Letter is the only 
one I have rec'^ upon the Subject. 

M"^ Bernard joins with me in respectful Compliments to 
your Lordship. 

I am, with the Greatest regard 
&c, &c, &c. 
Lord Vise* Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRING TON ^ 

Boston Sep: 14 1766 
My Lord 

I wrote to your Lordship the first of this Month by a Ship 
which sail'd from hence last Monday : this was in Answer to 
your Lordships of June 8 ; & will serve to show my Distraction 
of Mind concerning what is best to be done with me or for 
me. Since that I have received sev'ral Letters from M' 
Jackson from whence, with the Help of some reflexion of my 
own, I have quite reconciled myself to my continuing here 
untill the Affairs of America are more ripe: & I have per- 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 155. 



POLITICS 117 

suaded myself that I shall be able to stay here with a very 
probable prospect of Safety. / Whilst I am perparing to 
write to your Lordship to this purpose, I received your Lord- 
ships letter of July 12, which has again put me into a State 
of uncertainty of the pleasing Kind. It is a Pity that there 
should be any Interval between the Indulgence of America 
& the Reformation of it : because in such Case, The Former 
instead of being subservient to the latter will impede it. It 
is therefore much to be wished by ev'ry one, who has the 
prosperity of the British Empire at Heart, that such a Min- 
istry may be formed, who may have power as well as Judge- 
ment to reunite the different Members to its Sovereign Head 
upon true principles of Constitutional Policy, without which 
all Temporary Expedients must fail. 

And I perfectly agree with you Lordship that untill such 
a ministry so disposed is formed it will be to no purpose for 
me to come to England : unless I shall be called with an In- 
tention of preferment. And I shall entirely acquiesce in 
waiting 'till your Lordship sees the proper Time, & shall give 
a Direction to the Opportunity which shall offer for its Im- 
provement 

I am &c 
The right hon'ble 

the L"? Visc^ Barrington 



ii8 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Oct. 15 1766 
My Lord 

I beg Leave to introduce to your Lordship Chambers 
Russel Esq^ Judge of the Court of Admiralty & one of the 
Judges of the Superior Court of this Province. He goes to 
London to endeavour to procure an Appointment of a Salary 
to his Ofhce having for 20 Years past served his Majesty, too 
much at his own Expence ; tho with great Fidelity & Reputa- 
tion. His having been a Member of the Council for many 
Years & for these 3 or 4 last Years, by his own preference, 
a Member of the House of Representatives, & in every Sta- 
tion a faithful Supporter of the Rights of the Crown, He is 
extremely well qualified to represent the True State of this 
Province both as to its Government & its Governor, as he is well 
acquainted with the Merits & Demerits of them both : and 
it is for that purpose as well as to put him in the Way of your 
Lordships Notice that I take the Liberty to recommend him. 
The Honor or Favour which Your Lordship will be pleased 
to shew him will be conferred on a very deserving Man 

I am &c 
The Right Honble 
The Lord Vise* Barrington 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. 164. 



POLITICS 119 

LORD HARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square Ded 13. 1766. 
Dear Sir, 

I fear I have not acknowleged either of your Letters dated 
in April : ^ The first of them expresses an earnest wish to 
leave Boston, the second a wilUngness to remain there. As 
there is no inconstancy in your mind, I conclude this change 
arises from your finding before the middle of the month that 
no Troops were coming into your Province ; a circumstance 
which you apprehended a fortnight before, & which you 
thought would lay you under great difl&culty. Be assured that 
your wishes will be always accompany'd by mine. 

I have never had any intimation from General Gage that he 
intended to send Troops into New England. He knows my 
opinion, which is that they should not be quarter'd in the old 
Colonies which have been long settled and inhabited, unless 
call'd for by the Civil Magistrate or Government of the 
Province, as necessary to preserve the publick peace. I open 
my self very freely to you, and know that I may safely 
trust your discretion. 

We have lately had some considerable changes here : I 
need not mention names or offices, as the pubHck papers will 
give you full information of those Particulars. It seems to 
me on the whole that there was both passion and faction in 
the resignations. The Minister (who declares himself the 
strenuous opposer of faction) would willingly have brought 
in several of the Duke of Bedfords friends as individuals; 
but they wanted to come in as a Body, which was not per- 
mitted. The vacant offices have been given partly to old 

^ " Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 53. 

* There is no letter of this month in the "Bernard Papers." 



120 BARRINGTON-BERNAKD CORRESPONDENCE 

Servants of the Crown displaced by different administrations, 

& partly to Men who would take Employment by themselves. 

I think on the whole that the arangement has been well 

made ; & I have a very good opinion of the stability & strength 

of Government : I hope it will soon turn its consideration to 

the Western as well as the Eastern part of the Globe. Lord 

Hillsborough has left the Board of Trade where he was not 

situated to his Satisfaction, & is intended for high & important 

employments when vacant, but at present he is one of the Post 

masters General. Mr Nujent (created Lord Clare in Ireland) 

is at the head of the Board of Trade. 

I beg you will assure all my Cousins of my affectionate 

regard, and that you will beheve me to be Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 

most faithful & most obed Servant 

Baeeington 
Turn over 

P.S. 

A few days ago I reced a Letter of introduction which 
you had given to a Gentleman who dyed at his landing at 
Portsmouth. From the Character you give of him I much 
regret him & think him a great loss at this Juncture. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square Feb. 13. 1767. 
Dear Sir, 

I take the opportunity of to morrow's packett to acquaint 

you that no great alteration has lately happen'd here in publick 

affairs. Lord Chatham's gout at Bath has postponed many 

weighty considerations and among others the affairs of America 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 65. 



DESIRES TO RETURN I2i 

which I fear grow more difficult every day and certainly will 
not become easy by procrastination. 

Let this short note assure you, M^? Bernard & all my Cousins, 
that I am anxious at all times for your happyness & wellfare, 
being with the greatest truth Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 

& most obedient Servant 
Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Jan 20 1767 
My Lord 

I continue to learn that your Lordships Opinion is full 
against my coming to England at this Time. I am therefore 
absolutely satisfied with this Determination altho' this place 
continues to be made as disagreeable to me as it can well be 
without Apphrension of Violence. I call to my Aid what 
philosophy I am Master of, which is partly native & partly 
acquired & does me great Service. I am also much releived 
by the frequent professions of Regard which I receive from 
the most respectable persons in the province, some of whom 
are fellow sufferers. And I contrive to contrast my Labours 
with amusements of different Kinds of which I have a con- 
siderable Fund within myself. So that upon the whole I 
I go on pretty well, & have not, I hope, lost an Ounce of flesh 
in all my Troubles. 

But, my Lord, I cant help thinking now & then what is 
to be the End of all these Things both as to the public & my- 
seK. It is evident to me that Great Britain must interpose 
with the Governments of America some Time or other. But 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 9. 



122 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

it is fitting that the Ministry should see this at their own Time 
& prosecute it in their own Manner. Whilst Things are 
in Suspence I am willing to act in such a Manner as shall be 
most agreeable to my Superiors; let it only be pointed out 
to me. But it should not be expected y^ I can keep up 
government, without Authority, or regulate a people elevated 
by Success & made impracticable by inadmissible preten- 
sions, without Support or Maintenance, When I have said 
that this Government is not like to recover itself by any powers 
of its own, I have spoke, not my Own Opinion, but the Senti- 
ments of the ablest and wisest Men in the province. For 
my part let my Conduct be brought to the severest Test, and 
it will appear that the present Difficulties do not arise from 
me ; for which a Review of my Administration for the four 
first Years will afford an irrefragable Argument. 

For this purpose, being cut ofT from the Hopes of repre- 
senting these Matters in person, I have found myself obHged 
to endeavour to do it in a Series of Letters to the Secretary 
of State. This will be a disagreeable & tedious Work : but, 
as far as I can Judge, it is unavoidable. My Letters on this 
Subject are & will be very lengthy ; and yet I know not how 
to contract them. I am sensible that long Writings are 
liable to be not well attended to : but the Subject is so im- 
portant, that I cant venture to omit what is Hke to fling Light 
upon it. & so I must leave myself & my Writings to the Can- 
dour of the Minister. 

Another Step which I have taken is to make a Formal 
Representation of the present Income of the Governor & a 
petition ^ for an Addition to his Salary. This I have intended 
to do ever since I have been Governor, & have only waited 
for a proper Opportunity : which I have thought to have oc- 

^ See Appendix II. 



INCOME OF GOVERNOR 123 

curred now by my being ordered to transmit to the Treasury 
an Account of the Annual Expences of this Government; 
& therefore concluding that this Matter would soon be brought 
upon the Carpet, I have made this Representation by a 
Memorial to the Secretary of State, & a petition to the King in ^ 
Council both nearly in the same Terms. In these I have shewn 
by what Means several Defalcations have been made from 
the Income of the Governor so as to reduce it to its present 
Sum, ."^1075 pf An which I have proved to be the sum total 
of the Salary Fees & profits whatsoever of the Governor for 
these two Years past & Hke to remain so. This, I have 
ventured to say, is not a competent or honorable support for 
a Governor of an extensive populous & rich province living 
in one of the principal Capitals of America. And I have 
asserted that my annual Expences have often amounted to 
a greater Sum ; & cannot be kept within the Bounds of that 
Sum, but by a Aconomy which must impair the Dignity of 
the Office. 

M'' Jackson in a Late Letter writes that he thinks it very 
possible I might change my Government if I wisht it; & 
offers his Assistance if I have such a View. I write to him 
that near 5 Months ago I wrote to your Lordship on that 
Subject & then gave Reasons why it might be necessary 
for me to change my Government ; & that these Reasons have 
not since seemed to lose their Force. I add that at that 
Time there were sevral valuable Gk)vernments vacant; of 
which I should decHne Jamaica & the Leeward Islands upon 
Accoimt of the Climate, that I should be very thankful for 
Barbadoes, & should thankfully accept ^ S Carolina if that 
Gk)vernor went to Jamaica. That I had not much expecta- 
tion of Success, unless I could attend the SolHcitation myself ; 

1 First written "&." » Followed by "Barbadoes," then crossed off. 



124 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

and it was upon that Account among others that I was de- 
sirous of being ordered home. Upon the whole I desired M"^ 
Jackson to talk with your Lordship ; and if any Thing is to 
be done, to endeavour to steer it so as to give your Lord- 
ship as Httle Trouble as possible. My present disagreeable & 
dangerous Situation is my only pretension for troubling 
your Lordship at all, after I have allready received so many 
Favours from you. But this State of Inquietude Uncertainty 
& Hazard obliges me to neglect no Means which afford a pros- 
pect of Releif. 

I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship that M" 
Bernard is got into pretty good health & begs leave to pre- 
sent her compliments to your Lordship together with mine 

I am &c 
Right honble Lord Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD i 

Cavendish Square March I3^^ 1767 
Dear Sir, 

I fortunately received your Excellency's Letter of the 
20^?* January soon enough to acknowlege it by this Packett. 
I will endeavour to see M' Jackson soon, and talk with him 
on your Situation, which I confess to be very desagreable; 
and therefore on your Account (tho not from any publick 
consideration, far otherwise) I wish you removed to some 
other Government agreable to your inclination and Cir- 
cumstances. I think however that I cannot be of any use 
to you in that pursuit; for the comfort of my h*fe consists 
in my independency, and no man can be independent who 
solicits even for his friends. It is very hard after the uni- 
1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 67. 



UNREST IN MASSACHUSETTS 125 

versally acknowleged Services you have done, & risks which 
you have undergone, that you should have occasion to ask 
any thing either personally, or thro' others ; but the World is 
so made that the most just debts are not paid without dun- 
ning. On the whole, if you are determined to leave Boston 
when an opening shall offer else where, I think you should 
communicate your wishes to the Secretary of State for the 
Southern department, and I am sure you may do it in a way 
neither importunate or assuming. As to an Augmentation 
of your Salary, I think there is no ground to hope for it, un- 
less some American fund can be assign'd for the purpose. 

I am very glad to hear M"? Bernard's health is better. 
My Cousin your Son calls on me sometimes & tells me he is 
going to you. I wish him and all your family all possible 
happyness and success, for I am very sincerely to them and 
to you Dear Sir 

A most faithful & 

obedient humble Servant 

Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston May 20 1767 
My Lord 

I have this Moment received your Lordship's Letter of 
March 13 & take an Opportunity to acknowledge this & your 
former favour by a Ship which will sail early toomorrow. 

I so much approve of the principles of your Lordships 
Conduct in Regard to Sollicitations, that I would by no means 
break in upon them. But as there are more Ways of assist- 
ing a Business than the direct, & some of them very consistent 

^" Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 23. 



126 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

with the Independence you desire to preserve, you will still 
permitt me to explain to your Lordship my Difficulties, 
my Wants, & even my Wishes, when reasonable ; at the same 
Time professing my Desire not to engage your Lordship in 
any pursuit inconsistent with your System. 

I find it necessary to suspend my purpose of solHciting a 
Removal untill I learn the Event of my SolHcitation of an 
Augmentation of my Salary. If that should be rejected, it 
will give me a fair pretence to ask pubhckly for another 
Government; if it should succeed, it may make a change 
not desirable. I have had no Thoughts of charging such an 
Augmentation on the British Estabhshment ; tho' perhaps 
it may facilitate the Business for Great Britain to advance 
the first payment as a loan. American funds for their own 
Civil Lists will allways be in the power of the Administration ; 
& therefore I cant think it will be long contested, after the 
Americans find it is resolved upon. 

I really think, without Vanity, that at this Time my re- 
moval from hence would do disservice ; for the Faction, tho' 
the Change were ever So much to my Advancement would 
triumph upon it. Indeed all Removals of Governors in 
CompHance with the Illtemper of the People serve to increase 
that illtemper : it is nothing but humouring a froward Child. 
This Government feels to this Day the ill Effects of Gov' 
Shutes not being sent back with an Increase of Salary & 
Authority; and the giving him an Equivalent to his Satis- 
faction has not prevented or lessened the mischeivous Con- 
sequences of his being displaced. 

Next Week The New Assembly meets & the Election of 
new Councillors takes place. Many people think that the 
Change will be for the better, I doubt it : for the Distemper 
contracted by the Stamp-Act seems to be too deeply rooted 



AUGMENTATION OF SALARY 127 

to be cured without physick ; none of which has been applied 
as yet, unless what has encreased the Disease may be called/ 
so. However I must suspend considerations for myself, 
untill I see what turn the pubhc Affairs will take; which a 
Month or less will determine 

M"^ Bernard is in pretty good Health not established. 
All my Children are perfectly well. I begin to expect my 
eldest Son every Day. I am with M''^ B'^s compliments & 
my best Respects 

My Lord, &c 

Lord Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Beckett July the 8*^1' 1767. 
Dear Sir, 

A few days since your Letter of the 20*?^ of May was sent 
to me hither; and I find by it with great satisfaction, that 
you are well, and M''* Bernard much better than she was. I 
flatter my self that your son is before this time safe at Boston. 

I most sincerely wish that your Salary may be so augmented, 
as to render your continuance desireable where you are. All 
changes are troublesome & expensive; and as a good Eng- 
lishman I must hope that you may remain in your present 
Government. No man ever serv'd this Country so essentially 
in that, as you have done. This is almost the universal 
opinion, tho' some have vainly endeavour'd to insinuate the 
Contrary. 

When I left London about ten days ago things were in the 
most unsettled state imaginable; and tho' the Parliament 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 71. 



128 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

has been since prorogued, I do not find that any thing has 
been done. Lord Chatham's ilbiess continues, he is still in- 
capable of the least business, and his friends in Administra- 
tion are afraid to act on their own Judgment, least when he 
returns to a state of Activity he should disapprove their 
proceedings : In the mean time we are absolutely without 
Government. 

I intirely agree with you in every opinion you express rela- 
tive to America : : What has been hitherto done by each 
Administration was wrong, there is the most urgent reason to 
do what is right, and immediately ; but what is that right, & 
who is to do it ? 

The Packett sails next Saturday & I shall not return to 
London till this day Sennight : God grant that I may be able 
to send you a more Comfortable Letter by the Packett fol- 
lowing ! 

I am with my best Compliments to all my Cousins & with 
the greatest truth & Esteem 
Dear Sir 
Your Excellency's 
most faithful 

& most obedient Servant 

Bareiington. 
M"? Yeamans dyed 
last month. 



WISHES A BETTER PLACE 129 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square Oct^ 6: 1767. 
Dear Sir, 

I have lately heard your Panegyrick from Persons who are 
able to serve you. I understand there is a wish to give you 
some better Government, as a reward for your good conduct 
where you are. It is not impossible when vacancies happen 
that I may be ask'd what alteration of Scene would be agre- 
able to you. That I may be enabled to give a useful answer, 
be so good as to inform me what Governments would, & 
would not be agreable to you at the present moment. Per- 
haps information on this head may be of use, perhaps of 
none ; but your eventual Instructions can do no harm. I 
need not exhort you not to form sanguine expectations from 
the hint I now give you : The Times are very imcertain ; and 
when they are most fixt in this Country, a thousand accidents 
happen between the Cup & the Lip. 

In this Conversation I plainly perceivd the strongest desire 
that America should grow quiet; that no disputes should 
arise between the mother Country & it's Colonies, or between 
Governors b" their Assemblies. I venture to give you this 
hint, for your information and guidance; not wishing that 
you should give up any thing on your side of the Atlantic 
Ocean which is materially valuable to this. I am with my 
best Compliments to all my Cousins Dear Sir 
Your Excellency's 

most faithful & most obedient 
humble Servant 

Barrington. 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 91. 



130 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 
LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD/ 

Cavendish Square Jan : 8. 1768. 
Dear Sir, 

Probably I shall not convey to your Excellency the first 
news of a determination to seperate America from the Southern 
department of Secretary of State, and to appoint Lord Hills- 
borough third Secretary with the care of the Plantations &c. 
I need not make My Lord's Panegyrick to Governor Bernard, 
or recommend the Governor to his Lordship. They have a 
mutual good opinion of each other, and the Business they 
must have togather will be transacted to the satisfaction of 
both. 

I think the new Arangement on the whole very properly 
made, and I am of opinion it will produce a permanent ad- 
ministration, so necessary for this Country and particularly 
in respect to its Colonies. 

I beg you will present my best Compliments to all my 
Cousins and beleive me to be with great truth 
Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 

& obedient humble Servant 

Barrington. 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol, xi (Correspondence), p. in. 



NO MORE DISPUTES 131 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON* 

Boston Jan. 26 i76[8] ^ 
My Lord 

I have just now received the Duplicate of your Lordships 
Letter dated Oct : 6, the Original not being come to hand, as 
the Oct^ Mail is not yet arrived. I am also indebted for 
your Lordships Letter dated July, 8, which did not arrive 
till Oct' 10. I had deferred acknowledging the last men- 
tioned, in Expectation that I ^ should recieve some advices 
which might direct my Answer to Your Lordship ; but they 
are not arrived yet tho' daily expected. However I have so 
many matters to write upon to your Lordship, that I shall 
begin now ; And as my Subjects are various I shall digest 
them into separate letters ; in which the preference will be 
due to that which is the most public & interesting concern. 

Your Lordship observes that there is a strong Desire that 
America should become quiet, & that no disputes should 
arise between the Mother Country & its Colonies or between 
Governors & their Assemblies. I have had many hints & 
have given the utmost attention to them & pursued their 
purpose as far as I could do consistently with that Rule 
wisely laid down by Your Lordship that nothing should be 
given up on this Side the Atlantick which is materially valu- 
able on Yours. To prevent disputes between the Mother 
Country & its Colonies must be the Work of Great Britain : 
No Man in the Colonies, not all the Governors in America, 
tho' they could act with one Mind and with the best Under- 
standing can of themselves bring about so desirable an Event. 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 67. 

2 This letter is indexed under 1768 ; the draught is dated 1766 with a 7 written 
over the final 6. The date given in the index is clearly the correct one. 

'The words "did not" followed, but were crossed out. 



132 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Upon this Subject I shall write to your Lordship by a separate 
Letter, 

The preventing Disputes between the Governors and their 
Assemblies is easily effected, at least will probably be soon 
brought about in this Province. I have shown the Assembly 
the natural and constitutional Power of a Governor here, 
whilst he keeps himself Blameless and is supported from 
home; And have falsified that prevaihng Notion that a 
Governor of this Province cannot withstand a popular Clam- 
our. Otis himself has given up the Question and says it is 
to no purpose any longer to oppose me: And some of his 
Colleagues have allready made peace with me. The Assem- 
bly has now sate a full Month & have not shown the least 
Intimation to Dispute ; on the Contrary they have shown a 
good Disposition to avoid and to remove the Causes which 
have occasioned it before. So that it is probable that America 
may become apparently quiet notwithstanding their present 
pretensions. But, my Lord wounds may be skinned over 
without healing ; and a Calm may be more dangerous than a 
Storm. It is my Opinion that Great Britain will never be 
safe till the Wounds are probed to the Bottom and a Remedy 
appHed that will prevent the Return of the Disorder. This 
must be the work of ParHament, and tho more difficult than 
it was some Time ago, is still very practicable; in what 
Manner, I will explain in my Next 

I am &c 
Viscount Barrington 



AMERICAN CLAIMS 133 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

,, ^ Boston Jan. 28 1768 

My Lord 

I understand that it is a prevailing Opinion on your Side 
the Ocean, that America, if let alone, will come to herself 
and return to the same Sense of Duty and Obedience to Great 
Britain which she professed before.^ But I beleive no con- 
siderate Man on this Side of the Water has any such Expec- 
tation. If indeed the late Animosity had arose wholly from 
a Particular Transaction which stood on its own Bottom and 
had no Relation to any other Matters, upon removing the 
Cause, the Effect might ^ cease. But when it ^ is founded 
upon Principles equally ^ applicable to other Transactions 
which may ^ arise in the Course of Goverimient, the Ani- 
mosity may seem to die, but it will only sleep ; & will revive 
whenever such principles are again appHed to other transac- 
tions, that is whenever the Parliament shall make Ordinances, 
which the Americans shall not choose to obey. 

It was easy to be foreseen that the Distinctions used in 
Parliament in favor of the Americans would be adopted by 
them and received as fxmdamental Laws. It would signify 
nothing what the Number was ^ which rejected them : the 
Respectableness of the Names of those who introduced them 
and the apparent Interest of the Americans in maintaining 
them would outweigh all the Authority of Numbers for the 
Contrary Opinion. It was also to be foreseen that the Ameri- 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 70. Another copy in manu- 
script of this letter differs so much from the above that it is given in the Ap- 
pendix I, p. 245. 

'At first "4 Years ago," then changed to "before." 

'At first "or Purpose would," then changed to "might." 

<At first written " this Animosity." ^ At first written "which are." 

•This was followed by "continually be expected to," and then crossed out. 

^ Followed by "of the Majorities that," then crossed out. 



134 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

cans would carry these Distinctions much farther than was 
intended by the introducers ^ of them, even so far as to anni- 
hilate them. But yet these Distinctions never gave me Con- 
cern, because they carried their Remedy with them : if they 
were hurtful ^ to the American Constitution, they had an 
Antidote at hand; like the antient Spear if they wounded 
they cured also : If the Parliament can't tax the Americans 
because they are not represented, they can allow them Repre- 
sentatives and then tax them. 

Let ^ us state the Assertions in parliament in favour of the 
Americans and the Use which has been [made] of them in Amer- 
ica and see how far the chain of reasoning can be extended. 
It ^ was said in parliament that i. The Parhament has no Right 
to tax the Americans because they have no Representatives in 
Parliament. 2. But they have a Right to impose Port Duties 
or external Taxes, because such Duties are for the Regula- 
tion of Trade. 3. The Difference between an external and 
internal Tax, is that the former is imposed for the Regulation 
of Trade, and the latter for raising a Revenue. From ^ 

^ First written "Promoters." 2 pji-gt written "noxious." 

* First written "Let us state these Distinctions and the Consequences [illegible] 
the Americans have drawn from them and endeavour to form a Logical Chain," 
then changed to read as above. 

* Followed by three illegible words which were stricken out. 

^ At first this was written as follows, then entirely crossed off : — 
["American Consequences," stricken out.] i. Whatever Taxis imposed for 
[first written "the Regulation of Trade" and then crossed off] raising a Rev- 
enue is an internal Tax. 2^ Port Duties imposed for raising a Revenue are in- 
ternal Taxes. 3. The Duties imposed on the Colonies by the y"' of Geo: 3* be- 
ing expressed to raise a Revenue are internal Taxes. 4. The Duties imposed 
upon the Colonies by the 6'^ of Geo. 3 being directed to be paid into the Ex- 
chequer for the Use of the Government are a Revenue. 5. All Duties im- 
posed upon the Colonies to be paid into the Exchequer are a Revenue. 6. All 
American Port Duties raising Money to be paid into the Exchequer for the 
Use of the Government are internal Taxes. 7. The Americans are not obliged 
to pay any port Duties they being internal Taxes imposed by a Parliament 
in which they have no Representatives. 



AMERICAN CLAIMS 135 

these positions ^ it is argued in America that i Port Duties 
imposed for raising a Revenue are internal Taxes. 2 Port 
duties ^ of which the produce is to be paid into the Exchequer 
for the use of Government are imposed for raising a revenue. 
3 The produce of All the ports duties imposed upon America 
is ordered to be paid into the Exchequer for the use of Gov- 
ernment 4 All the port Duties imposed upon America are in- 
ternal Taxes. The only Difference between the Port duties 
declared ^ to be for raising a Revenue & those of which no such 
declaration is made is that in one the Intention is explicit ; in 
the other it is implied: the effect of both is the same. 

My Lord this is not a fictitious Argument but a real one, 
now urged and insisted upon, as the Terms of a good Agree- 
ment between Britain & her Colonies. For Proof of which 
I shall enclose to your Lordship a Series of Letters ^ printed 
originally at Philadelphia,^ and reprinted throughout the 
Continent : In these you will find all these positions before 
laid down, except that they are not expressly carried to their 
full Length, tho they certainly are consequentially so. What 
then shall be done? Shall the Parliament make a new de- 
claratory Act ? See ! here are Counter declarations to that. 
Shall they take no Notice of these American Pretensions? 
they then will be confirmed in the Minds of the Americans, 
and really become, what they are now proclaimed to be a 
Bill of American Rights.® There is nothing left to be done 
to get rid of these Difficulties, which arise wholly out of the 

^This paragraph was written on a small piece of paper and seems to be in- 
tended as a substitute for the crossed off portion. 

2 First written " Taxes " then changed to " Port Duties." 
' First written " expressed." 

* Followed by "supposed to be written at New York, but" and then crossed 
out. These were John Dickinson's " Letters from a farmer." 

* Followed by "& in this Town" and then crossed out. 
^Followed by "No:" and then crossed out. 



136 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Political dissentions at Westminster ; but to allow the Ameri- 
cans Representatives : this will cut up their Pretensions by the 
Roots ; it has been for above 2 Years expedient, it is now be- 
come necessary. 

In one of the Papers enclosed is a Speech extracted from a 
London Pamphlet said to have been spoke in the House of 
Lords ^ which has been reprinted in the American Papers. 
The whole Argument of this does not tend to shew that the 
Americans ought not to be taxed; but that previously to 
their being taxed they ought to be allowed Representatives. 
This has been ^ extremely well received here, altho' the Con- 
clusion is for an American Representation. If this was really 
the Speech of a ^ Lord of that House It ^ might have been 
properly answer'd by admitting the Conclusion and thereby 
avoiding a dispute^ about the Premises. If the Americans 
should be allowed Representatives it would become a Ques- 
tion merely speculative whether Representation is necessary 
to Taxation or not./ And yet the Americans in general do 
not desire a Representation, tho' the PubKcations on their 
Behalf all tend to that Conclusion ; and some of them seem 
Calculated to force the Parliament into that Measure as the 
only one which would satisfy their Pretensions. How is this 
to be reconciled? thus: tho the People don't see their In- 
trests in having Representatives ; yet their Leaders do theirs 
in being representatives and some of them have never lost 
Sight of this View since the Troubles first began. Without 
this it is impossible to account for the popular Writers found- 

1 As first written ; "by Lord C m (in the original it is more properly 

printed Lord C n)." 

^Followed by "so," then crossed off. 

' Originally written, " the learned Lord whose Name it is supposed to bear." 
< First written "It should," then changed to "It might have been properly." 
^ First written "avoid disputing." 



AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES 137 

ing all their Arguments upon the Want of Representatives, 
and resting their whole Cause upon one Pillar, which it is 
in the Power of the ParKament at once to remove, and let the 
Whole Fabrick down to the Ground. 

t See PS 1 

*And old Member ^ who had before in Vain opposed the 
House making Representations against the late Acts of Par- 
liament,^ told the House that they had nothing now to do 
but to consider whom they should choose for their Repre- 
sentatives in parhament; for If their Apphcation had any 
Success, it would have that Effect. He therefore bespoke 
their Favour on behalf of a Merchant, who desired to have 
the Honour of fitting out the Ship which shall carry their 
Representatives home; which he offered to do for half what 
they would sell for when they came there. 

This has been a serious Objection that American Repre- 
sentatives would be subject to undue Influence ; another is 
that the Colonies would not be able to maintain them. Both 
these, which contradict each other, would be more easily 
answered than a more material Objection, which lies at the 
Heart ; that an ^ American Representation will absolutely 
take away all Pretence of disputing the Ordinances of Par- 
liament. The Plan of an American Representation will 
admit of the Continuation of Provincial Assemblies for the 
Purposes of Domestic Government : and therefore no Objec- 
tions have been drawn from the Cessation of inferior Legis- 
latures, the Supposition of which would create infinite Diffi- 
culty. 

' The letter from this point is involved. In the final draft the P. S. on 
p. 138 undoubtedly appeared here. 

2 Followed by "of an Assembly having," then changed to "who had before." 
^ Followed by "when the Business was over," and then crossed off. 
* First written "the." 



138 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Upon the whole my Lord, if there was no Necessity for the 

Appointment of an American Representation; (which I 

think there is & that very pressing) The Idea of it greatly 

enlarges my View of the Grandeur of the British Empire. 

And if there is any Danger of its falHng to pieces, which 

surely cannot be toomuch provided against, It seems to me 

that Nothing would so Effectually guard ^ against so fatal 

an Event, as binding the Colonies to the Mother Country 

by an incorporating ^ Union And giving them a Share in the 

Sov'reign Legislature. If this was done there could be no 

Dispute about American Rights and Priviledges; and an 

Opposition to Great Britain would have but one Name. 

And then we might expect a Longer Duration to the entire 

British Empire than desponding Politicians in its present 

critical State are willing to promise. 

I am &c 
Vise* Barrington 

PS: 

In writing the foregoing Letter I have avoided, as much as 
possible evidences of locality ; that, if your Lordship should 
think proper to communicate it, by transcribing it and leav- 
ing out the Name and local Date, the Writer of it might not 
necessarily appear. I therefore omitted what has passed in 
our Assembly, except one Short Story, which was not neces- 
sarily local, concerning Representation. At the Opening of 
this Session a noted Speaker, who during the whole of last 
Winter had joined the Opposition to the power of Parliament 
and gone great lengths in his Assertions against that Power, 
now in a set Speech retracted all his former Opinions, and 
said that he had fully informed himself of the Relation be- 

1 Followed by "Great Britain," then crossed off. 

2 First written "aconomical," then changed to "incorporating." 



AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES 139 

tween Great Britain and her Colonies, & was convinced that 
the Power of parliament over the Colonies was absolute, 
with this Exception, that they ought not to tax them untill 
they allowed them Representatives. That when the Colonies 
had representatives, the Power of Parliament would be as 
perfect here as it was in England. He then argued in Favour 
of a representation & said that it was now become a Measure 
necessary both to Great Britain and the Colonies, for the 
healing the breaches between them. 

This surprised the House a good deal ; but some Time after 
their Eyes began to open : A Member on the Side of the 
Government charged the leaders of the Opposition with an 
Intention to make an American Representation necessary 
by the Objections they made to all Acts of parliament for 
Want of Representatives. The Proofs he adduced together 
with the aequivocal Answers given on the other Side, left 
little Doubt but that there was such an Intention. Upon 
this see * letter that ^ Brig' Ruggles (the old Member men- 
tioned in my Letter) made his proposal for carrying the Rep- 
resentatives home. If they will not be obedient to Parlia- 
ment without Representatives, In Gods Name let them have 
them, 

I need not, perhaps, mention to your Lordship that a 
Review of my Letter dated Nov, 23 1765. will be of use in 
the the Consideration of this 

1 First written "It was Upon this occasion that" then changed to "Upon 
this see letter that""; see passage marked with an asterisk on p. 137. 



I40 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD HARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square March 12. 1768 
Dear Sir 

Last Packett which arrived two or three days ago brought 
me two Letters from you, dated the 26*^?" & 28'^?' of January: 
I am very much obliged to your Excellency for both, but I 
am unable to answer them as I ought. The Packett to North 
America goes off to night, and the Election orders which go 
all over Great Britain at the same time, make such full Em- 
ployment for the War office, that I have been thoroughly 
busyed for some days past : I also set out for my own Election 
at Plymouth to morrow. 

I have communicated your most ingenious thoughts 
about American Affairs to my friend Lord Hillsborough. 
I am sorry to find that a man so knowing in what relates to 
that Country as your self, is of opinion that nothing can put 
a real end to our difference with our fellow Subjects there, 
but a representation from thence. Without entering into 
that subject, I may venture to say that the proposed expedient 
is impracticable, as no Influence could make ten Members 
of either House of Parliament agree to such a Remedy. 

I hope this Letter will find you and all my Cousins per- 
fectly well. I rejoyce that your prudence & spirit have con- 
quer'd faction in New England : I most cordially wish it were 
subdued on this side of the Ocean. I am with the greatest 
truth & regard Dear Sir 

Your Excellencys 
most faithful & 

most obedient Servant 

Barrington 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 157. 



ANOTHER GOVERNMENT 141 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston Feb. 7 1768 
My Lord 

I come now to answer the first Part of your Lordship's 
last Letter intimating the favourable Disposition towards 
me : and in order to give this Subject a full Latitude, it will 
be proper to go back to the first movements of it. 

It was in Sept^ 1766 that I wrote to your Lordship 
to sollicit a Removal from hence. I was then in a State very 
distressful, not only uneasy in my Administration but exposed 
& threatned with personal Danger. And yet under all those 
Difficulties, I expressed a Desire that I might be made easy 
here, by supporting my Government & augmenting my Salary 
The Truth is I did not know where to go or what to ask for. 
The best Governments in the King's Gifts are in my Opinion 
the least Desirable, as the Emoluments are, in general, much 
overballanced by the unhealthiness of the CHmates. There 
were several of the very best Governments vacant at that 
Time; Jamaica, Leeward Islands, & Barbadoes. I then 
absolutely decHned the two first, altho' the very best Govern- 
ments in the Kings Gift : Barbadoes I expressed a great Desire 
for : and indeed it is the only one among the Islands that I 
have desired. Now that as well as the other two is but just 
filled : so that the only Object of my Desire in the West 
Indies is now out of the Question. 

In Regard to the Continent, in the Same Letter I intimated 
that South Carolina, altho' upon Account of the Climate far 
from being desirable, would in my present Situation ( If I had 
no Prospect of being quieted with an adequate Salary) be 
more agreeable than to be left here. Soon after I sent away 

^ " Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 82. 



142 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

that Letter, I wrote to M"" Jackson to disclaim S Carolina, 
upon Account of the disagreeable Inform"^ of the CHmate 
which I had then received; of which we have frequently 
visible Evidences from the sallow Complexions of those 
Corolinians who come hither to recover their Health. I will 
here apologise for my exceptiousness in Regard to CHmates, 
by assuring your Lordship that it is not so much on my own 
account (tho' my Life is made valuable by the tender Age 
of most of my Children) as it is for the Sake of M'^ Bernard, 
whose frame, naturally delicate, has been much weak'ned since 
she came here. To follow the Governments along the Con- 
tinent N CaroHna is much in the same Predicament as its 
Name Sake, & is now full with a new Governor. Virginia 
being a L^ Government would be no advancement. New 
Jersey (my favourite in Regard to Situation) would be a deg- 
radation. We now come to N York ^ now full of a new 
Governor also: I should gratefully accept of this if it was to 
become vacant and be offered to me : but should hke better 
& I think it would be better for me to be properly supported 
in this Government. They are both of them liable to be 
harrast by the Spirit of Jealousy of and Opposition to Govern- 
ment which prevails in both & has for some Time past been 
whetting itself upon each other. But there is this Material 
Difference between the two Provinces : in N York that Spirit 
actuates Men of Rank and Ability, in Massachusets it works 
only with Men of Middhng or low Rank ; in the Latter the 
Gov' has the generality of respectable Men on his Side; in 
the former they are more generally against Government. 
Without entring into more particulars. It appears to me that 
the Administration of N York is more difficult than that of 
Mass^*^ especially as I can plainly perceive that this Government 
* Followed by "my favourite with Regard to Situation," then crossed off. 



ANOTHER GOVERNMENT 143 

has received Strength from the Spirited & steady use which 
I have made of my negativing power & the pubhc Approba- 
tion it has received. This, with the great additional Strength 
which it will gain from that wise Parliamentary Measure for 
providing for the Support of the Governors k. Crown Officers, 
will make it full as necessary for the Leaders of the People 
to court the Governor as it will be for the Governor to court 
them. 

This leads us to the ballancing the Question. Since the 
Time when I applied to be removed from hence one Event 
then despairred of has happened ; The Parliament has made 
a Provision for the Payment of the Governor, & tho' it has 
not been declared what the Salary will be, yet we must sup- 
pose that it will be adequate to the Importance of the Govern- 
ment. Another good event is coming on apace, a Recon- 
ciliation between me & the Malecontents. The Assembly 
has now sat near 6 Weeks, & not the least Disrespect has 
been shown to me, even by those who were used to be most 
froward at other Times. On the contrary All such Businesses, 
as I might be supposed to have an Int'rest or a Will in, have 
been done in such a Manner as I could desire. And yet they 
still pursue an Opposition to the late Acts of Parhament by 
Remonstrances : and at the same Time appears an evident 
Disposition to restore the Peace of this Government. This 
will not be dissappointed by the Defeat of their Purposes in 
Parhament ; it will be much more probably improved by it. 
As for the Salary, a Gentleman of very good Authority assures 
me it will be ^2500 ; tho' others report that it will be but ^2000. 
If it is the least of these Sums, it will (together with a Restora- 
tion of the good Humour of the Government) make a Removal 
from hence not desirable ; especially when the Cheif Govern- 
ments have been so lately filled as to afford little Prospect of 



144 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

a valuable Vacancy. It is true this Expectation^ may be 
intervented ^ : for tho' the Act is passed, yet Nothing has been 
done in Pursuance of it; and it may be repealed before any 
Thing is done ; As the Assembly of the Massachusets are now 
endeavouring to engage all the other Assemblies on the Conti- 
nent to join in remonstrating against it. But I cannot think 
that there is any Danger of the Parliament's giving Way to 
such a Combination They have seen toomuch allready of 
the Abuse of the former Repeal, for which a strong Necessity 
was to be pleaded, to give Way to another Dictation of the 
Colonies which is itself one of the Abuses of the former In- 
dulgence. If they should give Way, they may as well at 
once Repeal all the former Acts of Trade which impose Duties : 
for they are all included in the same Chain of reasoning. 

You see, my Lord, that it is very probable that this Govern- 
ment may be made more desirable to me than another; or 
at least that I must wait till the Salary of it is settled before 
I can properly compare it with another. So that all I can 
resolve upon now is to desire your Lordship, after accepting 
my most gratefull Thanks for your Kind Care of me, to en- 
deavour to keep aHve the favourable Disposition of advanc- 
ing me, till I can determine what Occasion I shall have for 
it. In the mean Time I would avail myself of it, with your 
Lordships Approbation, to obtain leave of Absence for a Year, 
to be left to my own Discretion whether I shall use it presently 
or not. For two Things must happen before I should chuse 
to go to England : I must wait till the Salary of this Govern- 
ment is fixed & put in a Way of Payment : And I should chuse 
to see the Peace of the Government perfectly restored before 
I leave this Place. Both these may probably happen before 
next Midsummer : the first of them will be known to your 

1 First written "Prospect." ^ First written "interrupted."' 



MORE SALARY 145 

Lordship much sooner than it will to me; and when it 
does happen, I think with Submission, that it will be a 
proper Time to make the Request, leaving to me to make 
Use of the Licence as the other Event shall turn out, more 
or less, One Thing your Lordship may be assured of, that I 
will not leave the Province at a Time when my Presence 
here appears in any Way necessary. But when we get 
into a little good humour with one another a Short Separa- 
tion may make us meet again better Friends than before. 
Besides I shall by this Means have an Opportunity to con- 
sider effectually how I can best avail myself of the favour- 
able Disposition towards me, which my present Distance 
makes Difficult. I have not as yet wrote to the Minister 
upon this Subject; and shall not 'till I dismiss the Assembly, 
When I do your Lordship shall be informed of all Particulars, 
If Leave should be obtained, it will be very expedient that it 
should be kept secret till I shall Think it Time to make Use 
of it. I am w^l' great Grat^ & Resp'^:* 

My Ld your Ldships most obed* 

humble Servant 
Vise* Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 1 

Boston, Feb. 20 1768 
My Lord 

Since I wrote to your Lordship my Letters of Jan. 26 & 28 

there has been a considerable Change in our Assembly which 

has produced a Paper which I think proper to add to the 

political Papers allready communicated to your Lordship. 

You must know that at the Beginning of this Session the 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 94. 



146 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Friends of Government had power enough to keep the fac- 
tious Party of the House in awe. And tho' they could not 
prevent their writing a Letter to their Agent, another to 
the Sec^?' of State & an Address to the King upon the Subject 
of the late Acts of Parliament for imposing Duties & constitut- 
ing a Board of Commissioners of Customs, yet they prevented 
for that Time the sending circular Letters to the other As- 
semblies inviting them to join them, by a Majority of 2 to i. 

But the Faction would not be so disappointed ; but after 
having prepared the Way by private Cabals they brought on 
the Business again when they got a Vote for expunging all 
the proceedings of the House out of the Journals, & then 
obtained another Vote for sending a circular Letter to the 
other Assembhes. This is what I have now the Honor to 
transmit your Lordship a Copy of : I shall make no Remarks 
upon it than that your Lordship will find in it a full Illustra- 
tion of my former Letter. I also send your Lordship a tenth 
Letter of the farmers Letters, which will I beleive compleat 
the Set. 

The Party elate with their Success on the Circular Letter, 
immediately after, quarrelled with me : but it is upon a Sub- 
ject which will do them no Credit & me no Harm. They 
have put themselves much in my Power, if I was inclined to use 
Declamation : but I have done with it. However I shall give 
them a short Answer which will be sufficient to expose them. 
It is not worth your Lordships while to attend to such 
Squabbles; and therefore I shall not trouble your Lordship 

with the particulars 

I am &c. 
Lord Visc^ Barrington 

P.S. Before I put this into a Cover, a Ship came in from 
England in a Passage of 19 Days from the Lands End. I 



THE CIRCULAR LETTER 147 

am told that she brings advice that L Hilsborough is ap- 
pointed Sec^ of State for America. If this should be so, I 
think that knowing your Lordship's Connexion with that 
noble Lord, I have Reason to congratulate myself upon the 
Even't. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Mar. 4 1768 
My Lord 

In my Letter of Jan 28 I informed your Lordship to what 
Lengths the Americans had carried their Improvements of 
the Arguments which had been used in England in favour 
of their being exempt from a parhamentary Taxation. I there 
mention that the Pretensions were not expressly carried to 
the Length that they were Consequentially. But, my Lord, 
the httle Interval of Time between the Dates of that Letter 
and this has afforded Instances of these Pretensions being 
actually carried to the full Length they are capable of. The 
Traders here are now associating ^ in the same Manner that 
they did at the Time of the Stamp Act; with what Success 
remains to be determined : however there is now a Sub- 
scription opened to import no British Goods (except for the 
Fishery) for 18 Months. If this was all, we Crown Officers 
should be ^ well Content : but it is given out among them that 
they will not submit to the Laws in the Mean Time ; & violent 
Methods of Opposition are every Day expected. One Man 
has unloaded a Cargo without entring it at the Custom House : 
it was done in the Night with a strong hand ; but it is as 
pubUckly known as if it had been at Noon Day. The Ofi&cers 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol vi (Letter Book), p. 96. 

2 Followed by "here," then crossed off. 

^ Followed by "very," then crossed out. 



148 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

either do not or dare not know where the Goods are carried. 
Many Merchants say they will not suffer Custom House 
Officers to go on board their Ships ; one of them declared so 
in the House of Representatives. When they are asked what 
will satisfy them, the Answer is a total Repeal of the Laws of 
Trade imposing Duties and nothing less. And untill such 
Repeal shall be made they propose to suspend the Execution 
of the Laws, as they did in the Stampt-Act, which is now 
made a Precedent. However there has not as yet been a vio- 
lent Opposition to the Officers ; but it is hourly expected. 

Your Lordship may imagine that such a State of this Town 
must be very disagreeable to the Commissioners of the Cus- 
toms who are strangers in this Country. There have been 
Nights fixed by Common Report for a Tumult twice within 
these 10 Days. Upon one of them M'' Burch one of these 
Gentlemen had a large Number of Men with Clubs assembled 
before his Door great Part of the Evening, and he was obliged 
to send away his Wife & Children by a back Door. This 
was afterwards turned to a Joke & said to be nothing but 
to intimidate them ; but if it was only a Joke it was a very 
cruel one. The Commissioners have asked me what Support 
I can give them, if there should be an Insurrection; I an- 
swer none at all. They then desire me to apply to the general 
for Troops ; I tell them I cannot do it ; for I am directed to 
Consult the Council about requiring Troops; & they will 
never advise it let the Case be ever so desperate. Indeed I 
no more dare apply for Troops than the Council dare advise 
me to it. Ever since I have perceived that the Wicked- 
ness of some and the folly of others will in the End bring 
Troops here, I have conducted myself so as to be able to say, 
and swear to, if the Sons of Liberty shall require it, that I 
have never appHed for Troops. And therefore, my Lord, 



TEE COMMISSIONERS 149 

I beg that Nothing I now write may be considered as such 
an Apphcation, The present Suspence is a very disagree- 
able one : the Commissioners see that they must wait till 
a violent Opposition is made to their Officers; & yet they 
dread the Experiment. I must be involved with them more 
or less : I have promised them an Asylum at the Castle, & 
possibly may want it myself. Tho' the more moderate of 
the Opponents to the Laws of Trade say that they will hurt 
No body; but when they find that they are not hke to be 
redressed, they will put the Commissioners & all their Ofl&cers 
on board a Ship & send them back to England. This is 
the Talk used to prevent Riots : a Short Time will determine 
it. I shall drop the Subject here having said enough to shew 
how probable it is that the Officers of the Crown will soon be 
in the same situation which they were above 2 Years ago; 
and how deceitful that Opinion is like to prove, that America 
will come to Rights of its own Accord. The Impeachment of 
the Power of ParHament has been continually extending 
since the Time of the Stampt-Act; & will not stop till the 
Parliament interposes with Effect. 

Having said so much for the public there is little remaining 
for myself. Your Lordship may imagine that whilst the 
Faction are attacking the Authority of Parliament they 
won't let the Governor alone. They accordingly picked a 
Quarrel with me about the Middle of the Session : But they 
have chose an unfortunate Subject and managed it very 
ill. I found myself obliged to make it the Subject of a Speech 
at the End of the Session ; as the Faction have shown their 
Intention, to hurt me with the People by the Publication 
of the Papers of their House followed with an Infamous 
Libell. But they are both fully answered by my Speech and 
an Address of the Council; both of which joined together 



I50 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

on this Occasion will I hope open the Eyes of the People to 
the Wickedness of these Fellows. 

The Right honble I am &c 

The L*? Visc^ Barrington 

PS 

If your Lordship should think proper to communicate any 
Part of this Letter, you will spare my Name as much as 
possible. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square April i6. 1768 
Dear Sir, 

I was yesterday favour'd by several Letters from you, and as 
the Packett sets out this Evening I have not time to answer 
any of them as I wish : I have indeed scarce been able to read 
them ; for the same conveyance brought me some material 
publick Dispatches which require answers, and I have only 
a few hours to write them. I cannot however suffer this days 
Post to go, without carrying my acknowlegments of your kind 
Attention to me, and of the material information you send me. 

Three of your Letters dated the 28^^^ 26^'' of January and 
the 20'.'' of Feb : are duplicates. One of them contains a 
very ingenious but in my poor opinion impracticable plan 
for representing the Colonies in Parliament. I acquainted 
you with my opinion on that Subject by last Packett. I then 
knew how such a proposal however right would be received 
on this side the Water, and the Act of assembly dated feb.ii^?" 
shews how much it would be abhor'd on your side, at least 
in your Government, so we must put that Plan entirely out 
of the Question. 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 167. 



AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES 151 

I see with Grief, but not with surprize, the open attempts 
towards independency making in New England, & I conclude 
the other northern Colonies. A man must have been blind 
who did not foresee that consequence, from the repeal of the 
Stamp Act. Things are coming apace to a crisis : My friend 
Lord Hillsborough will have his hands full, but for the sake 
of the publick I am glad America is in his hands. He has 
prudence firmness & temper : The times want them all. 

I am persuaded you are in the right in your dispute with the 
Assembly ; but that dispute makes it eligible for you (tho' 
not for this Country) that you should be removed to a better 
Government; especially as no steps are taking towards 
granting a fixt salary to the Governors of the Northern 
Colonies. I will watch every Circxunstance that can make for 
your benefit, and your Letter dated 7*?* february has inform'd 
me of your wishes. I am with great truth & Esteem & with 
my best Comps. to my Cousins 

Dear Sir 
Your Excellency's 

most faithful & obedient 
humble Servant 

Barrington. 
PS. 

In my hurry I had forgot 
to acknowlege your Letter of 
the 4*-^ March which is of the 
most serious importance. The contents 
will not be neglected by me & I will make the 
proper use of them without commiting the writer so as to hurt 
him. 



152 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston March 28 1768 
My Lord 

I have an Opportunity of adding the 11*^'' & 12*^^ Farmers 
Letters which compleat the set; I shall send your Lordship 
another Set in an 8^° Edition by the next Opportunity. All 
that I fore-told of these Letters becomes verified : the ill Conse- 
quences which were to be expected from them are coming 
on with a Rapidity; and I fear it is too late now for Great 
Britain to prevent America getting the Start of her. For if 
the Expectations of the Cabinet of the Politicians here are 
well founded, they depend upon using weightier Reasons 
than have been urged as yet against the Parliaments imposing 
Duties in America. I have wrote a good Deal upon this 
Subject to the Secretary of State; but dare not repeat all 
I hear till I have a safer Conveyance for my Letters than 
offers at present. A little Time will give Maturity and 
Appearance to the Designs which are now carrying on, if 
what I hear is to be credited. 

I am &c 
The Rt honble 
L*^ Vise* Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston Apr: 20 1768 
My Loed 

I take this Opportunity to inform your Lordship that we've 

lost our fourth Son Shute who died at Cambridge, where he 

was placed for his Studies, on the s^^ inst^ after 4 Days 

Illness in the 16 Year of his Age. I find that a Number of 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 105. ^Ibid., p. io6. 



LEAVE OF ABSENCE 153 

Children does not so much reconcile one to the Loss of one, 
as might be imagin'd. However I ought not to repine, when 
I have 9 hopeful Children left. 

Yesterday I received your Lordship's Letter recommending 
Mr Chaumier : Immediately after which I had an Opportunity 
of shewing my Desire of serving him by removing some Diffi- 
culties in the Way of his obtaining an Indulgence from the 
Board of Customs, which I hope has been effectually done. 

Both the Mails of ^ & Febry are still due, tho the latter 
should have been in by this Time. I have no Advice in an 
Official Way of the Appointment of Lord Hillsborough : so I 
am now in an Interval between the closing my Correspondence 
with L*^ Shellburne, & opening one with L*^ Hillsborough. 
The Officers of the Crown & Friends of the British Govern- 
ment are now in a distressed State, hoping that, but not know- 
ing how or when, they shall be relieved. 

In a former Letter I proposed that I should have a discre- 
tionary Leave to come home. Altho Things are very much 
alter'd since I wrote that Letter, yet it still becomes very 
adviseable to the Government, & desirable to me, that I 
should have leave to come to England. I must run a Risk in 
it: But the Times are growing so bad, that I am not like to 
have any Choice in it. The good Inclinations of the Ministry 
towards me, I am satisfied will have no good Effect untill I can 
have an Interview with them. As soon as the Mail comes in, 
I will write more fully to your Lordship upon these Subjects ; 
in the mean Time I could wish that the Purpose of obtaining a 
discretionary Leave for my coming home might be pursued. 

The Right honble I am &c 

L*^ Vise* Barrington 

^ Followed by "Janry" and then crossed off. 



154 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 
LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cav: Square May the g^^ 1768 
Dear Sir, 

Lord Hillsborough told me the other day that he thought it 
very right you should receive an immediate mark of the King's 
favour, and approbation of your sevices, and ask'd me whether 
you would have any objection to being created a Baronet. 
I said that I never had observed any thing in you which made 
me conceive you were fond of Titles, and that it cost three 
or four hundred pounds to be a Baronet ; but that I would 
enquire of you, & let him know your Inclinations. I beleive 
there is no Government in America which if vacant you might 
not have, with the greatest ease ; but at present there is 
nothing to be disposed of but the Lieut. Government of 
Virginia. This I am authorised to offer you, with or without 
the Title of Baronet. Lord Hillsborough conceives it to 
be the same as a Government in point of Rank as the Governor 
never resides, and that in point of value it is better than 
what you have : In ease & comfort it is infinitely preferable. 
I do not find there is any prospect of paying the Governors 
of America out of the funds created last year, and which 
were then created only to give the late Chancellor of the 
Exchequer a little momentary eclat. I ask'd Lord H. who 
he would propose to be Your Successor : He said it would be 
a great distress to this Country, whenever you left the Massa- 
chusets, but that his Views went of M^ Hutchinson the pres- 
ent Lieu'^ Governor; and this in the strictest confidence I 
was allow'd to tell you. In short my dear Sir, You have now 
the whole before you for consideration, and no man can deter- 
mine better. My Lord H. has promised me to write you 
1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 183. 



TEE BARONETCY 155 

such a private Letter as will authorise you to come hither on 

leave if you should chuse it. I am with my best CompUments 

to all my Cousins 

Your Excellency's 

most faithful & 

most obedient Servant 

Barrtngton. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square June 11*^ 1768 
Dear Sir, 

I answer'd all your Letters by last Packett, & therefore 
intended by this to trouble you with nothing but a duplicate 
of that answer. Yesterday brought me your Letter of the 20*?* 
of April, by which I hear with great concern of the misfortune 
which has happened in your family by the death of my Cousin 
Shute Bernard. I most sincerely condole with your Excellency 
& with M"? Bernard on this occasion ; earnestly hoping you 
will have no more affictions of the same kind or indeed of 
any other. 

I am much obliged to you for the Printed Papers which 
you have sent to me, and which shew too clearly the ill humour 
on your side of the Water : I can send you nothing pleasing 
from this side and therefore I will not give you or my self 
concern by writing news I am ever with the greatest truth 

Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 
Lord Hillsborough has & obedient Servant 

obtain'd the discretionary Barrington. 

leave you desire & I beleive 
sent it to you by last packet. 

^ " Bernard Papers, " vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 197. 



156 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston May 9 1768 
My Lord 

The Febry Mail is not yet come in : so that at this Time, 
4 Months after his Appointment, I have received no Letter 
from Lord Hillsborough. As upon this Account I must 
still defer writing to him, I am now aware that I shall not have 
Time to apply to him for Leave to go to England ; so as to 
expect an Answer in Time to set out soon enough to keep clear 
of the Winter : and a Winter Voyage in these Seas is to be 
avoided by all Means possible. 

I must therefore beg of your Lordship that I may be favoured 
with your Lordships Application (with as Httle Loss of Time 
as may be) that I may have an Order or Leave to come 
to England before Winter. An order it will be if the Minister 
sees the Expediency of calling me to make a Report in Person 
of the present State of New England ; in which Way I am 
convinced I can be more serviceable to his Majesty than I 
can by continuing here without real Authority. It seems to 
me that the Omission of the most proper Means to quiet 
America, if there has been any such, must be imputed to the 
Administration having wanted proper Informations of the 
State of the Country; which for many Reasons cannot be 
communicated by Letters. 

Considering this as a License granted to me. It will still 
partake of the Nature of a publick Business. For if my 
Service has received the Approbation with which I have 
been flattered, I hope it will create a Merit, which will exempt 
me from being again exposed to the same Dangers, which 
I so firmly withstood & so happily escaped. In the Winter 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. no. 



THE COMMISSIONERS 157 

65-6, 1 was sev'ral Times drove to the very Brink of Deserting 
my Post; & in the Spring following the Lieut: Gov^ told 
me that nothing surprised him more than to see me in this 
Town at that Time. And if we are to beleive the Heads of 
the Faction here, if Concessions from Great Britain are not 
soon made, the next Winter will be as dangerous to Crown 
Officers as any which have passed. 

I have not at present any Dispute of my own or of any Kind 
but what arises from the Opposition to Great Britain. At 
present the Faction is cheifly employed in insulting affronting & 
threatning the Commissioners of the Customs & their Officers. 
The Instances are gross & notorious : I shall not at present 
mention Particulars, as I suppose the Commissioners them- 
selves will fully report them to their Superiors. It is sufficient 
that these Proceedings necessarily involve me in continued 
Disputes, as I cannot dispense with paying due Respect to 
Gentlemen bearing Commission under the great Seal & 
station'd in my Government. And yet this is in a Manner 
required of me, as the Terms of being spared^ myself. It 
therefore seems unavoidable that when they rise against the 
Commissioners (which they publickly declare they will do, as 
soon as they learn that their applications to the Government 
at home are successless) the Governor must be involved in 
the Dispute & partake of the Difficulty & Danger. 

For these Reasons as well as others, I much desire that I may 
have leave to come to England next winter. I am sensible that 
I run a risk of hurting my Family Stock, & much so, if I cannot 
obtain an appointment under the late Act with an early Com- 
mencement. But my Family will run a much greater risk 
from my being left exposed to another insurrection, which will 
undoubtedly be attended with much more mischeif than the 

' First written "loved." 



158 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

former, as it will be accompanied with a desperate Defiance 
of Great Britain. This Event seems unavoidable if Measures 
are not already taken to prevent it. — If an Order should 
be obtained, I beg it may be forwarded with all Expedition, 
& a duplicate & triplicate by other Ships. 
The Right Hon The L^ Vis^ Barrington, I am &c. 

PS. May. 12. 

Yesterday I recieved my Lord Hillsboroughs first Packet ; 
& as the Ship which is to carry this is to sail to morrow I 
shall have no time to write Lord Hillsborough except to 
acknowledge the Reciept of his Letters. I shall probably be 
able to write upon my subject in about a weeks time : but as 
the Time of that will be uncertain I shall stand in need of 
You Lordships interposition in the same manner as if this 
Packet had not arrived. And it is the more to be desired as it 
will be proper to prepare his Lordship for an Address diectly 
from myself; which latter I shall most probably inclose to 
your Lordship, that you may judge of the propriety of it 
before it be presented, I should have mentiond before that 
I have recieved your Lordships Letter of Jan. 8 & am obliged 
to you for your kind information. 



secret 

As I have a Confidence in the Conveyance of the inclosed, 
I will venture to add a few Lines, which I should not chuse to 
trust to the common Post: I am well assured that it is the 
intention of the Faction here to cause an Insurrection against 
the Crown Officers, at least of the Custom house, as soon as 
any Kind of Refusal of their extravagant Demands against 
Great Britain shall furnish a Pretense for so extraordinary 



COLONIAL UNREST 159 

a Step; & that they depend upon being join'd & supported 
in this by some of the other Colonies. I am advised of this 
by one of their Party whose name I can never use, as he is 
not suspected of communing with me. I asked him if they 
were likely to confine themselves to the Custom House officers, 
or would extend their operations to the other Crown officers 
& especially the Governor. His answer was, " if I was Governor 
Bernard I would get out of the way whenever any Commo- 
tion began, especially if it arose from the Expectation or the 
arrival of regular Troops." The same Person told me they 
were waiting for the success of their application to other 
Colonies to join them in an actual opposition. Since this I 
have learnt that they greatly exult in Advices they have 
lately recieved from other Colonies. All this is continually 
confirmed by frequent Declarations that they will do them- 
selves Justice; that they will remove the Commissioners 
& their officers ; that no Pensioner of Great Britain, no, not one 
that recieves a Stipend from ^ thence shall live in this Province ; 
& it has been publickly declared upon Change that if 
the Commissioners were not recalled before the beginning 
of the Winter, they will be shipped of for England. The 
Situation of these Gentlemen (& indeed of all the Crown 
Officers) is become very gloomy; especially as they cant 
learn from England or New York that any Relief is intended 
to be sent to protect them from this desperate Gang. I 
should have observed before, that it cannot be concieved 
that they would treat the Parliament of Great Britain with the 
Insolence & Contempt which their News Paper is frequently 
fill'd with, if they did not mean to set her at Defiance, & dare 
her to express a resentment. This is the present State of 
this unhappy distracted Town. 

1 Followed by "Great Britain," then crossed off. 



i6o BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston June i8 1768 
My Lord 

I have just received your Lordships Letter dated April 16*?* 
as I did that of Mar 10 in due Time, which I waited to acknowl- 
edge 'till this Mail come in. 

Your Lordship observes that Things are coming apace to a 
Crisis: I am sure they are with us ; and I fear the Bostonians 
will get the Start of you. The Commissioners of the Cus- 
toms and their OflScers & the OfiQcers of the Custom House 
are driven out of the Town allready, the latter not without 
wounds & bruises & a narrow escape with life. The Com- 
missioners & their ofi&cers are on board the the Romney Man 
of War : they are going to the Castle to wait the Event of 
this, as soon as it shall be made defensible by the station of 
Men of War about it. There are allready the Romney of 50 
guns & the Beaver of 16 : others are expected. 

I am myself on better terms with the people, than usual. 
A Civil Treatment of a petition of the Town to me, a plain 
& friendly Answer thereto & some real Service by interpos- 
ing with the Man of War, have given me a little popularity. 
But it wont last a week : as soon as I have executed the orders 
I have just recieved from the Secretary of State, in the general 
Assembly, there will be an end of my popularity. And I 
dont know whether I shant be obliged to act Hke the Capt of 
a fireship, provide for my retreat before I light the fusee. 

I shall send this by M'' Hallowell Controller of the Customs 
of this Port, who is sent home by the Commissioners upon 
this occasion. He will inform Your Lordship of all the par- 
ticulars of the present transactions, as he has bore a great 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 123. 



COLONIAL RESISTANCE i6i 

part in them. There seems at present a determination to 
resist Great Britain, & preparations, I am am told are made 
for it. We must wait for the Event. 

I am &c. 
The Right Honble 
The Lord Viscount Barrington. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON * 

My Lord 

Boston. June 29. 1768. 

I wrote to your Lordship a short Letter dated June 18, 
which went in the Care of M^ Hallowell. Since that I have 
informed the Assembly of the orders I have recieved to require 
them to rescind & disapprove some resolutions of the late 
House in the last Session, & on their refusal to dissolve them. 
It is certain they wont comply ; in the mean time they are 
putting off giving their answers, & perhaps meditating some 
other Act as bad as that which they are required to rescind. 
I am not at present an object of resentment, altho I have 
been abused in a speech of Otis's in common with the Govern- 
ment the Ministry, the parliament & the People of G Britain, 
& all persons in Authority on both sides the Water. But I 
apprehend that I shall be drove to execute my orders in a 
manner that may make me personally offensive. Besides, 
one doesnot know what effects the Dissolution of the Assem- 
bly may have among the People, nor what turn it may take. 

I there fore a good deal depend upon my obtaining Leave 
of absence. I have not wrote to my Lord Hillsborough on 
this Subject: ever since my Correspondence has been opend 
with him I have had so many interesting Subjects to write 

*" Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 125. 



1 62 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

upon, that I have not found room for myself. Besides, the 
Year has advanced so fast, that there is not Time left for 
me to recieve an Answer to a Letter wrote now, early enough 
to embark before the Winters sets in ; tho I should venture 
much if I should meet with a good Ship, especially a Man of 
War. I must therefore rely upon what I have allready 
wrote & your Lordships kind oflQces therein. 

It seems to me that my going to England is quite neces- 
sary for the improvement of the good disposition of the 
Minister towards me. Without an interview, there will be 
no End of doubts & difficulties, especially as my Ideas of an 
advantageous settlement lay a great stress upon health & the 
means to preserve it, a good Climate. I also want ease & 
rest, having been greatly too much overworked for 3 Years 
past, & I begin to feel it. I had therefore rather return to 
my old Goverment of New Jersey with a Salary of i5oo£ a 
Year (no more than is allowed to the Government of Nova 
Scotia) than go to a Southern or West indian Government 
(Barbadoes excepted) of twice or thrice the Value. And I 
should think this might be effected by advancing GovT Frank- 
lin & allowing an additional Salary to that Government. As 
for my staying in this Government with an additional Salary, 
It would depend upon the treatment the People are to meet 
with here. If I was upon the spot where I could know what 
is to be done with this Goverment, I could quickly tell how ^ 
advisable it would be for me to continue in it ; & if I should 
be asked my opinion what should be done I might propose 
measures which would make my return to it by no means 
advisable. For tho' I conform to the Constitution of the 
Government, as it is at present my Duty, yet I cant be blind 
to its defects & the ill consequences which proceed from thence ; 
> Followed by " to," then crossed off. 



WISHES TO LEAVE BOSTON 163 

& if I am called upon I must speak out. Upon the whole 

my having leave to go to England seems to be the first step 

to be taken. 

June 30. 

I have this day recieved the ^ answer of the House, wherein 
they refuse to comply with the terms of the Kings requisi- 
tion in a manner which will give great offence at home. I 
am also abused by them, altho' I have been meerly ministerial 
in this business. I have therefore prorogued them to day & 
shall dissolve them to morrow by proclamation. I expect 
great resentment from England against this Town & province, 
& that much confusion will arise here & perhaps there may 
be an actual insurrection. Upon these accounts Leave for 
me to go to England becomes more & more desirable. I 
write fully to my Lord Hillsborough, & upon that Account 
must shorten this as I must make up my packet for a Ship 
which is to sail to morrow. 

I am with great &c 
The Right Hon ble 
The Lord Viscount Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 2 

Cavendish Square Aug^ ii'?' 1768. 
Dear Sir, 

In my last Letter to you I made you an offer from Lord 
Hillsborough of the Lieu^ Government of Virginia if it were 
agreable to you : but an Event has since happen'd which 
put an end to this Plan. The Representations of that Colony 
to the King and Parliament shew such an alarming disposi- 
tion there, that it was thought necessary a Governor and a 

' First written "an," then changed to "the." 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 277. 



1 64 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

man of great distinction should reside there. Sir Jeffery 
Amherst declining to go to America in that capacity, Lord 
Botetourt has been appointed in his room, a man every way 
fit for the business he has undertaken. I hope this will not 
prove a disappointment to you, and that some other advan- 
tagious estabhshment will be found out for you in case Boston 
continues a disagreable Government, of which there is but 
too much appearance. 

It is now evident to all the world that the Civil Magistrate 
in the Massachusets should be assisted by troops, in main- 
taing Peace & supporting Law. The Regiments in North 
America being thro' a most fatal Policy dispersed so, as that 
no considerable number can be assembled, two Regiments 
are going from Ireland to that part of the world ; but of this 
I need say no more, as your publick dispatches will fully 
apprize you of it. 

I understand from Lord Hillsborough that in your dis- 
patches you mention leaving your Government on account 
of health or something of that sort, but in the present junc- 
ture I am persuaded you will not stir from thence on any 
Account tho' you have leave of absence. I know & lament 
the uneasyness of your situation and hope in God it will not 
long continue. I am with my best Compl to all my Cousins 
Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 

most faithful & obed? Servant 

Barrington. 



TROOPS TO BOSTON 165 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston July 11 1768 
My Lord 

I wrote to your Lordship the 29*'' inst* a Letter which 
went to New York for the Packet ; and a duplicate went the 
next Monday for Glascow. I now take an Opportunity of 
sending to your Lordship Copies of the Papers relating to 
the Dissolution of the Assembly as they are printed in the 
Newspapers. This Business went off easier than I expected, 
partly from its being previously known and partly by my 
dismissing the Assembly by Prorogation & dissolving them 
afterwards by Proclamation. 

But the Crisis is still to come : Death has been denounced 
against those who are concerned in bringing Troops here : 
and yet I beleive one Regiment at least is now ordered from 
Halifax. I have kept clear of being concerned in it by the 
Indulgence of Gen' Gage who knows my Situation; but it 
will not follow that I shall not be charged with it. However 
I must take Care of myself as well as I can ; and if I can't 
stand my Ground I must go to the Castle, which is now be- 
come a Place of Security, tho' in a Manner without a Garri- 
son, having a 50 Gun Ship two 16 Gun Sloops & two armed 
Cutters stationed about it. Few Weeks will determine this 
Affair. 

I am &c 
The Right honble 
The Lord Viscount Barrington 

^.^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 132. 



1 66 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD HARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square 6*^ Sep tern' 1768. 
Dear Sir 

As this Packet will carry you a Duplicate of the Letter 
which I wrote to You by the last ; I have little now to add, 
except an acknowlegement of your Letter dated the ii^** of 
July : And an Account of Sir Jeffery Amherst's resignation 
of the Regiments he commanded. This event has given 
great concern to the King, & to every body who serves him ; 

for Sir Jeffery is universally respected & valued. You 

may be assured there was the strongest intention to shew him 
every mark of regard ; And I really think that if Sir Jeffery's 
own mind could have approved the offer made him, & which 
it was thought he had accepted, of a Pension for life out of 
the American 4I per Cents, equal to what the Government 
of Virginia brought him in, no man living, of the least degree 
of common Sense, would have blamed Sir Jeffery, or thought 
him ill used : Be that as it may, I very much lament what 
has happened. 

God grant that we may have speedy Accounts of Boston's 

being quiet: but I shall not expect that tranquillity there 

will be of long continuance, unless some legal example be 

made of persons concern'd in the late violences committed 

there. I am with great truth & regard 

Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 

humble Servant, 

Barrington 
His Excellency 

Governor Bernard 

&c &c. 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 293. 



THE SOLDIERS 167 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston, July 20, 1768 
My Lord — 

We continue in the same uncertain Situation now as when 
I wrote last : the Crisis waits for the arrival of Troops ; & I 
now learn that there are none coming. Gen^ Gage has now 
inaformed me that his orders to Halifax are that ^ the Troops 
shall be collected & kept in readiness, but are not to move 
till I require them. I answer that then they will never move : 
for I shall not make such a requisition without the Advice 
of Council ; & I never expect to obtain that ; neither their 
popular Constitution nor the present intimidation will permit 
it. He says that Troops never are sent to quell Riots & Tu- 
mults but at the desire of the Civil Power. I admit it; & 
say that I sh*^ never think of sending to New York or Hah- 
fax for Troops to quell a Riot at Boston : the Business must 
be over before they can arrive; & no Troops can be of any 
Service in quelling a Riot or a Tumult, that are not previously 
quartered near the Place. 

In Short, my Lord, Troops are not wanted here to quell 
a Riot or a Tumult, but to rescue the Government out of the 
hands of a trained mob, & to restore the Activity of the Civil 
Power, which is now entirely obstructed. And if an open 
Defiance of the Authority of Great Britain; a persecution 
of all those who are supposed to be maintainers of that 
Authority; The Expulsion of the King's Commissioners ap- 
pointed under the great Seal in pursuance of an Act of Par- 
liament out of the Town where they have been Stationed by 
the King's Authority; & obhging them to take refuge in a 

1 " Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 136. 

^ At this point in the original there is what appears to be a period. 



1 68 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Castle & there remain under the Protection of Men of War 
for want of better Security; If all these are not sufficient to 
show the Expediency of quartering Troops at Boston, we 
must wait till it becomes more apparent. 

In truth, The sending Troops to Boston sh^ be a Business 
of quartering, of Cantonment : it is now no secret that this 
ought to have been done two years & a half ago. If it had, 
there would have been no opposition to Parliament now, & 
above all no such Combination as threatnens (but I hope 
vainly) the Overthrow of the British Empire. If Provision 
was to have been made against Faction & Sedition, the head 
quarters should have been secured. Instead of which Regi- 
ments have been sent into Quarters at Philadelphia &new 
Jersey where the People are principled in peace & Submission 
to civil Order ; & Boston has been left under the uninterrupted 
Dominion of a Faction supported by a trained mob from 
Aug^* 14, 1765 to this present July 23, 1768 

And now all the Burthen is to be laid upon me and, as if 
I was not at present sufficiently loaded with Dangers & Diffi- 
culties, I alone am to be made answerable to the Fury of the 
People for introducing Troops here illegally & unconstitu- 
tionally ; for so they will call the requiring them without the 
Advice of Council. Otherwise I am to be made answerable 
to the King for all the ill Consequences which shall follow 
the Want of Troops here. I must say that this bringing me 
between two Fires is very hard ; and I would add very cruel, 
if I was not convinced that it did not arise from any Intention 
to hurt me : for I am well assured that Gen Gage has none 
but friendly Intentions towards me; tho' possibly he may 
act in this Business with too much Caution, or probably may 
be confined in his general Orders. 

To discharge myself as well as I can of being answerable 



THE SOLDIERS 169 

for Consequences I have ordered a general Council to meet 
on Wednesday next when I shall lay before them the Sub- 
stance of Gen' Gages Letters, and require them to give me 
their Advice whether I shall or shall not send for the Troops 
which the Gen' has ordered to be ready at HaUf ax : And 
according to their Advice I will act. I should not have chosen 
to have made this Communication ; for I expect little Assist- 
ance from a Council popular & timid ; And I have but lately 
tried them upon this very Question : but ^ I am drove into 
this Measure. As soon as the Determination is over, I shall 
acquaint Lord Hillsborough with it : In the mean Time I 
have thought it proper to state this Business to your Lord- 
ship, that if it should be brought upon the Carpet to my Dis- 
advantage your Lordship may be informed of the true State 

of the Case. 

I am &c 

The Right honble 

The L"^ Vise* Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 2 

Boston July 30 1768 
My Lord 

According to the Notice I gave you in my Letter of July 20 
I have laid the Proposal of Gen' Gage before a very full Coun- 
cil, & upon putting the Question whether I should or should 
not require Troops of Gen' Gage, it past in the Negative 
unanimously, as indeed I expected it would. But tho' I was 
prepared for this Answer, I was not for the high Strain of the 
present Popularity with which this Question was treated; 
from whence I am, convinced that I am no longer to depend 
upon the Council for the Support of the small Remains of royal 
& parliamentary Power now left ; the whole of which has been 
gradually impeached arraigned & condemned under my Eye. 
* First written "for." 2 "Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 139. 



I70 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

It is now 3 Years since the popular Power, which now 
prevails first raised its head: I have constantly give Notice 
of every Step it has made, & have given my Opinion that 
there was no internal Power in this Government which could 
prevent its gaining all real Power. I have myself done every 
thing I could to stop its Progress & by my Negativing Power 
kept it from prevailing in the Council. But it is all over 
now : the indifference which has been shown in England to 
the checking the Demagogues of America for so long a Time 
has at length so effectually discouraged the Friends of Govern- 
ment, that they have been gradually falling off, 'till at length 
the Cause is become desperate. The Vote in the House 
against rescinding, which was carried by so large a Majority 
gave the precise Turn to the Council; and now I see that 
popular Leaders & popular Measures will wholly prevail in 
that Body in which I have hitherto boasted that I have kept 
the Enemy from prevailing. 

I have wrote to my Lord Hillsborough giving him a par- 
ticular Account of ^ all the Proceedings about requiring Troops 
hither, with Copies of all Papers relative thereto. But I 
desire by no Means to be understood to blame Gen' Gage, 
whom I consider to be very friendly to me. I make no Doubt 
but he can as well vindicate himself for not sending Troops 
here without my Requisition as I can for not requiring them 
without the Advice of Council. All I desire is that we may 
both appear to have acted right. As the Settling these 
Provincial Disputes will take up Time, and I am become very 
heterogeneous to the present prevailing System, I should 
be glad to retire a little, till it can be determined how I can 
be disposed of : for surely I have for 3 Years served in a very 
hard Warfare. I am &c 

The L"^ Vise* Barrington 

^ First written "about." 



THE SOLDIERS 1 71 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Beckett October the 3"? 1768 
Dear Sir; 

Since my last I am to acknowlege your Letters of the 
20 & 30*^?^ of July. I agree entirely with your reasonings 
about sending Troops to Boston : The late Violences made 
it proper to send them, orders went accordingly to General 
Gage, but he had not received those orders when you wrote 
the above mention 'd Letters to me. He was right in not 
sending any Troops without either orders or requisition, I 
find near three Regiments are assembled at Hahfax, & two 
saild from Ireland the IO^'' of last month, I hope this will 
furnish a sufficient Strength for you ; but when they come, 
how will you quarter them, or where will you find a Civil 
Magistrate to use them ? If the Act for quartering Troops 
in N. America had been alter'd as I proposed, the first diffi- 
culty would not have existed : I hope you will be able to re- 
move the Second difficulty. 

I long to hear that things are quiet, I mean permanently 
quiet in your part of the world, & I wish it may be without 
any bloodshed. Believe me ever 

Dear Sir 
Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 
Cannot a Cjovernor make most obedient Servant 

what Justices he pleases, & Barrington. 

is he not himself a civil Magistrate ? 
The Commissioners of the Customs at Boston 
may also be Justices of the Peace and act as such, both for 
quartering & directing the Troops : At least I conceive they 
may. 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 319, 



172 BARRINGTON-BERNAKD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston Aug 27 1768 
My Lord 

I am honoured with your Lordship's Letter of May (f^ 
which arrived at Boston the 20^*" of Aug. that is 14 Weeks 
after it left London. I mention this that there may be no 
Imputation of NegHgence in me in not acknowedging the 
Favour by the earliest Opportunity. 

I am truly sensible of the high Honour I receive from my 
Lord Hillsboroughs Estimation of me and your Lordship's 
Attention to improve it in the best Manner for my Advantage. 
The unexpected Offer of a Title strikes me too forcibly not 
to occasion some Deliberation. If indeed it was to be de- 
termined by myself upon selfish Considerations, I should 
have no Doubt of declining it. But in a Business of so great 
Concern to my Family others are to be consulted besides 
myself. M'^ Bernard is at present at a mineral Spring 90 
Miles from hence to which she has been sent by her Physi- 
cians. I have also an intimate Friend & Relation in England 
who has my Intrests so much at her Heart, that I can't 
excuse myself advising with her. So, my Lord, you must 
not be surprised, if by making Use of a female Council I 
should be led into an Act of Vanity. But at present I think 
the Objections I have to accepting the Honour are unsur- 
mountable. If I consult my political Friends about accept- 
ing this Honour, I know they will labour for the afhrmative 
with great Earnestness upon political Considerations. It 
will be urged that the conferring this Honour on me will 
afford a true and proper Triumph over those Enemies which 
my Adherence to the Rights of Great Britain has created ; 

1 " Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 141. 



THE BARONETCY 173 

that it will hold out a Light to other Governors and Crown 
Officers and teach them that their true Intrest leads to ad- 
hering to their Duty and not temporising at the Expence of the 
Rights of the Crown ; and that it will tend to cast a Disgrace 
upon the Faction which has of late prevailed here, and to 
lower its Estimate with the People of the Country. I own, 
my Lord, that these Arguments will have some Weight with 
me, who am used to consider every Event, with its Relation 
to the Service of the Crown. You see, my Lord that it is 
impossible for me to come to a Resolution at present, and 
therefore I can only desire your Lordship to present my most 
respectful and grateful CompP® to my L*^ Hillsborough and 
to beg his Indulgence of further Time for to consider of the 
Propriety of my accepting the great Honour he intends for 
me. 

In Regard to the Government of Virginia I have much less 
Difficulty or indeed none at all. It is certainly much more 
valuable than this, even tho' the contingent Profits, which 
this has been deprived of for 3 Years past & more, should 
be restored. I speak this upon a Presumption that the 
Lieutenancy will be held upon the same Terms with the 
principal as it was by M' Fauquier ; which I understand was 
by paying 1500 pounds sterlf in England clear of all Charges. 
As for the Title of Lieut Gov^ it matters not whether the 
Governor is called his Honor or his Excell'^f ; tho if it signified 
any Thing the latter Title might be given to the Lieut Gov"^ 
by a special Commission that should not be derogotary to 
the Commission in cheif : and I have often wondered it was 
not done; as this is in Effect a principal Government. The 
Gov"" of Maryland has long ago taken the Title of his Excell*^, 
by what Authority I dont know, unless it is by a Commission 
from his Majesty: for surely a Proprietor can confer no 



174 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

such Title. As for the Climate which your Lordship knows 
is a principal Consideration with me, cheifly upon Account 
of M*^^ Bernard, I have learned enough to satisfy me that tho 
it is too southerly, it is not unhealthy and will probably suit 
with her. I must therefore desire your Lordship to signify 
my most grateful Acceptance of this Offer for the present; 
by which I mean a Reserve of Liberty to apply for something 
else, if I should be disappointed in the Climate or Income of 
this Government. If I am not, I may probably set down 
with Pleasure for the rest of my Life : for it is high Time that 
my Peregrination should be determined : 

It will be extremely agreeable to me to be succeeded here 
by the L*^ Gov"", as indeed it will upon many Accounts pro- 
mote his Majesty's Service. Such an Appointment will 
effectually discourage the Faction, who are more inveterate 
against him than against me ; and are most offended at me 
for taking his Part ; And it will afford another great Instance 
of rewarding faithful Servants of the Crown. I shall treat 
this with all the Confidentiality your Lordship recommends, 
and shall not acquaint him with the Assurance I have of 
this Intention. But I must tell him that I hope and expect 
that he will succeed me; as it will be necessary to enter 
into Concert with him about many Matters previous to this 
Change, and to take his Opinion concerning several Regu- 
lations which I have had in my Thoughts to propose. 

I shall avail myself of Leave to return with all due Ex- 
pedition ; Many Things both public & private concur in mak- 
ing it expedient. I have not yet received my L*^ Hillsborough's 
Letter for that Purpose; the June Packet is not come in, 
tho it is now ii Weeks since it left London : It is become a 
most dilatory Conveyance. I now communicate to your 
Lordship my Sentiments as they arise : when I have the 



VIRGINIA 175 

Honour to wait upon your Lordship I shall determine upon 
every Point. The Question of the Government may receive 
a considerable alteration if Gen' Amherst should require new 
Terms from the new Lieut- , which might impair the Bene- 
ficiality. But I dont expect it as it would probably open 
a Door for Disputes which had better be avoided. 

I am &c 

The Right honble 

The Lord Visc*^ Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square Nov^ the i^ 1768. 
Dear Sir, 

I am to acknowlege your Letter of the 27*^ of August, 
the last received, and the only one unanswered. 

I have before acquainted you of the necessity of sending 
a Governor to Virginia which has put an End to the Idea of 
your succeeding Mr Fauquier. The unexpected and ex- 
traordinary behaviour of the Council and assembly of that 
Province, made it thought necessary to send a man of Quality 
thither in a more eminent station than has been usual for 
many years past. The News Papers &c have assigned other 
reasons for Lord Botetourt's appointment; but without the 
least ground. He never had an Idea of going to America 
till it was proposed to him. I hope some other good thing 
will soon open for you, and the Title is ready whenever you 
are on the whole inclined to accept it. 

You mention in the Letter I am now answering, an intention 
of making use of the discretional leave sent You by Lord 
Hillsborough, tho' not then received : When this leave was 

' "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 5. 



176 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

granted, the Province under your Government was tolerably 
quiet ; but the Riots which have since happen'd, the ^ Re- 
bellion in September last, and the expected arrival of the 
Troops who will stand in great need of your Excellency at 
their arrival and in their proceedings, will undoubtedly keep 
you at Boston till better times. I most sincerely feel for 
your difficulties and distresses there ; but it is such a situation 
that shews Virtues & talents in their true light. I am with 
my best Comp? to all my Cousins 
Dear Sir 
Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 

most obedient Servant 

Barrington. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 2 

Cavendish Square Nov? g^^ 1768 
Dear Sir, 

The Packett having been delay'd I have an opportum'ty 
of congratulating you on the happy & quiet landing of the 
troops at Boston, and the universal approbation your steady 
and able conduct has obtaind. I need add nothing to my 
letter of last week which will go by this conveyance but a 
repetition of my being with great truth & Esteem 

Dear Sir 
Sir Jeff. Amherst has Your most faithful 

return'd to the Army to & most obedient Servant 

my great satisfaction. Barrington. 

^ First written "particularly the." 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 9. 



THE TROOPS AT BOSTON 177 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 

Boston Oct^ 20 1768 
My Lord 

I deferred writing to your Lordship on the Subject of 
Lord Botetourt's Promotion untill I could receive from your 
Lordship as I expected I should, an Explanation of it. This 
did not come to my Hand untill 4 Days ago when I received 
your Letter of Aug 13 by that tedious Conveyance the Packet. 
I should not deal sincerely with your Lordship if I was to say 
that it has not proved a Disappointment to me. But I am 
quite sincere, when I assure your Lordship that it will have 
no Influence upon my Conduct, & that it will never appear 
from my Actions that I have received any Disappointment 
at all. And indeed it will soon wear off by my reflecting 
that it has arose from my Lord Hillsboroughs favorable 
Intention towards me, which has itself received no Abate- 
ment, tho' it has been prevented being carried into Execution 
in the Manner proposed by unforeseen Circumstances. And 
therefore I should be inexcusable, if I did not dispose myself 
to wait chearfully for a more suitable Opportunity of it's 
exerting itself towards me. 

The Expectation of this becoming an agreeable Government, 
tho at best it would be very unpromising, seems to be entirely 
cut off by the Disposition which appears in the present Ad- 
ministration not to carry into Execution M"^ Townshend's 
Act for settling adequate civil Lists for each Government. 
For if I should reconcile myself to the People which consider- 
ing the fresh Tasks I have now sat me, is not as yet to be 
expected, I don't see how I am to be releived in Regard to the 
Deficiency of my Income, concerning which I sent a Petition 

1 " Bernard Papers," vol. vi (Letter Book), p. 156. 



178 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

to the King about 2 Years ago, which by the Act that 
passed the Session after, I flattered myself had been 
favorably received. For my own Part I cannot now live 
upon the Income of my Government, which by Means 
arising from the Troubles of the Times & the ill Temper 
of the People is now reduced to under 1000 Guineas a year, 
as I proved by authentic Vouchers annexed to my Peti- 
tion. And I suppose it is not intended that the Income 
of any Government shall fall short of a full Subsistance to 
the Governor. 

My Idea of M' Townshend's Plan for settling fixt civil 
Lists in the Governments is very diflfierent from that which 
now prevails : and it seems that a Departure from it will 
be very contrary to the Rules of true Policy. But as I have 
had more than any Governor whatsoever, an Intrest in its 
being carried into Execution, I have for that Reason only, 
avoided expressing my Sentiments upon it. But my Lord I 
am persuaded that the Time is coming, if not allready come, 
when the very Opposition to that Establishment, will evince 
the Necessity of carrying it into Execution. It was some 
Years before the passing of the Stamp Act that I was con- 
vinced that establishing certain civil Lists in America was 
indespensably necessary to the Reformation & Regulation 
of the Governments. This is become much more so now 
than it has been heretofore : and if the Perverseness of the 
Americans in their Treatment of the supreme Legislature 
should oblige the Ministry in Order to vindicate the Authority 
of Parliament to carry this Act into its full Execution it 
would be an happy Effect of a bad Cause. For if it is not 
executed the Want of it will often be felt. In this Province 
particularity, the Want of Pay for proper Officers will be 
found among the cheif Causes of the Imbecillity of Government. 



COLONIAL REGULATION 179 

If Punishments & Rewards are the two Hinges of Govern- 
ment, as Politicians say, this Government is off of its Hinges; 
for it can neither punish nor reward. In short my Lord if 
this Act should be laid aside either by Repeal or Non- Execu- 
tion, we shall have Reason to be sorry that it ever passed. 
For the Disappointment of it will cast such a Damp upon the 
few People which remain faithful to the King, that he will 
soon be without Servants. The Laws of Trade will be ex- 
ecuted, because there the Officers are paid. But in all other 
Departments of civil Policy the Service of the Crown will 
be defeated : for it cannot be expected that Officers should 
act in Opposition to the Humours of the People on the Behalf 
of the Crown, when they are left by the Crown to the People 
for scanty & precarious Salaries. 

We have got two Reg'^ from Halifax landed at Boston: 
those from Ireland are not yet come in. So that the Per- 
sons of the Crown Officers are safe as I beleive ; tho' that is 
still doubted. But Security alone will not restore the Au- 
thority of Government; especially as the Council has now 
gone over to the People, thinking, as I suppose, the Cause 
of the Crown to be desperate. And indeed the long Delay 
of parliamentary Resentment & of military Protection to- 
gether with the non-execution of the Salary Act has caused 
a General Despondency. And this will be compleat if it is 
confirmed, as I have just now heard that the Charter of this 
Government is still considered as sacred. For most assuredly 
if the Charter is not so far altered as to put the Appointment 
of the Council in the King, this Government will never recover 
itself. When Order is restored it will be at best but a Re- 
public, of which the Governor will be no more than President. 
I have sent My Lord H Matter enough to support this As- 
sertion; I have still more of the same Kind to follow. I 



i8o BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

shall herewith enclose some printed Papets to this Pur- 
pose. 

As for my Voyage to England, I had fixed upon the Ship 
& the Day of sailing ; when about a fortnight before the Day 
I received a long Letter from Lord Hillsborough which con- 
tained Orders of such a Kind that I could not but consider 
it as a Suspension of my Leave. This Letter also brought the 
first Advice of Lord Botetourt's Promotion, I thereupon 
sat down (with an heavy Heart I must own) to spend another 
Winter here & how much more I know not, under the gloomy 
Prospect of encreasing Trouble & decreasing Health & For- 
tune. In this Temper I wrote to my Lord Hillsborough with 
as chearful a Countenance as I could. So that by this Time 
he must be satisfied of my not returning to England. 

I have often reflected with Concern upon what your Lord- 
ship informed me that there were not lo Persons in either 
House that were favorable to an American Representation. 
I conceive it to be unfortunate for Great Britain that this 
Expedient meets with no better a Reception. For it seems 
to me that this Measure is not only the most proper to remove 
the Causes of the present Dissentions; but that an incorporat- 
ing Union is the only Provision which can prevent a Separation 
of the Colonies from Great Britain. If it is not done soon, 
it will be too late ; & a Separation will take Place at no great 
Distance of Time. I shall enclose an Extract of a Letter to 
me from a Member of Parliament well acquainted with 
America, observing that his Opinion & mine was not taken one 
from another; but we were each confirmed in it before we 
knew the other's Opinion. 

I am &c 
The Right honble The 
Lord Visc*^ Barrington 



SOUTH CAROLINA i8i 

P S Oct 29 

I am just now informed from ^ Letters now arrived that the 
Government of S CaroHna is at this Time proposed for me. 
I have in former Letters particularly excepted to that Govern- 
ment, not upon Account of the Value but the Climate. But 
as your Lordship may not have this in Memory, I think it 
proper to repeat my Reasons why I must desire to decline it. 
I have made myself so well acquainted with the Nature of 
that Country, that I am persuaded it would deprive me of 
two of the greatest Comforts of my Life, my Health & my 
Wife. The former indeed would depend upon a Trial : 
but the latter would have none ; for I could not ask her to go 
with me. And as after 27 Years Cohabitation, We are still 
as desirous to continue together as we were the first Day, 
I cannot consider an Appointment which will separate us as 
a Reward or an Advancement, tho my own Health was out 
of the Question. 

By my Letter of June 29*^ last I informed your Lordship how 
great a Stress I laid upon an healthy Chmate in my Idea of 
a good Government. And I added that I had rather return 
to my old Government of New Jersey with a Salary of 
^ 1 500 a year (no more than that of Nova Scotia) than go to 
any other Government, Barbadoes excepted. Now, my Lord, 
if the Vacancy of S Carolina could be made the Means of 
removing Gov"^ Franklin, & Means could be found to encrease 
the Salary of New Jersey to the Sum before mentioned or 
nearly towards the same, I should be better pleased with it 
than with a much larger Income in a worse Country. The 
present Salary allowed to the Gov'' of New Jersey is -^720 or 
^ 750, 1 am not certain which. The Assembly might be induced 
to raise it to 900 : & if 600 or 500 could be added from the 

^ First written "by." 



1 82 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

American Treasury it would quite compleat my Wishes. I 
still love the Place & am still beloved by the People. M'^ B 
begs Leave to join in CompP to your Lordship. She has 
greatly recovered her Health by the Use of a mineral Spring 
in Connecticut & continual riding on Horseback 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD » 

Cavendish Square Jan: 2^. 1769. 
Dear Sir, 

I have received your Excellency's Letter of the 22^ Oct.^ 
and the Duplicate. All your Letters convey to me very un- 
/ favourable Ideas of your part of the World : There is only one 
comfortable circumstance, which is that the troops are quietly 
lodged in Boston. This will for a time preserve the publick 
Peace, and secure the persons of the few who are well affected 
to the mother Country. I wish there were a better prospect 
of such measures at home, as will tend to preserve the Obedi- 
ence of the Colonies, and such have been proposed; I can 
moreover assure you that they have been rehsh'd by the 
majority of the Cabinet ; but by some fatal catastrophe, two 
or three men there, with less ability, less credit, less authority 
& less responsibiUty than the rest, have carry'd their point 
and produced that flimsey unavaiHng Address which has past 
the Lords, has been sent down for concurrence to the Com- 
mons, and which will be considered by them after the Holy 
days. I think there is a bare possibility that it may be 
amended in that House of Parliament. I think however it 
is determin'd by all the ministers, not to repeal M' Town- 
shends Acts till the Colonies have submitted thoroughly to 
them. 

' "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 33. 

2 There is no letter dated Oct. 22, 1768. This should read October 20. 



AS TO REMOVAL 183 

The Picture I have drawn of things here will not encrease 
your inclination to remain at Boston. I earnestly wish you 
were removed to some other Government; or provided for 
at home to which your Services abroad give you the justest 
claim. I have said & shall say this at all proper times & to 
all proper persons. I am fully instructed as to your wishes 
concerning other Governments, except that I am not clear 
whether you should like Barbadoes if it were to become vacant ; 
and in that respect I beg full & clear information. You may be 
assured that I shall do you every good ofhce in my power, 
according to your own Plan. As to S. Carolina it is not vacant, 
or likely to become so, & I well remember'd your sentiments 
concerning that province. 

I beg you will present my best Complim*? to M"? Bernard 
and to all my Cousins. I wish them & you many happy years 
and am with the most perfect regard Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 
most obedient humble Serv. 
Barrington. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Private 

Cavendish Square 12^^ Feb^ 1769. 

Dear Sir, 

There were no Packets on this Side the Atlantick the 

first Wednesday of this Month, which has retarded my writing 

till I could inform you that the Resolutions which so long ago 

came down from the House of Peers, were agreed to by the 

Commons : I mean the Resolutions concerning America ; 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 49. 



i84 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

concluding with an Address, which tho' voted by the two 
Houses, I believe is not approved by five Men in either : Some 
thinking it too much & others too little in the present Crisis. 
I am one of those who think the measure futile & in no respect 
adequate. I am convinced the Town Meeting at Boston 
which assembled the States of the Province against the King's 
Authority, & armed the People to resist his forces, was guilty 
of high Crimes & Misdemeanors, if not of Treason ; And that 
M' Otis the Moderator (as he is improperly called) of that 
Meeting together with the Selectmen of Boston who signed the 
Letters convoking the Convention, should be impeach'd. 
This would convey terror to the Wicked & factious Spirits all 
over the Continent, & would shew that the Subjects of Great 
Britain must not rebel with impunity anywhere. Five or 
Six Examples are sufficient ; And it is right they should be 
made in Boston, the Only place where there has been actual 
Crime; for as to the Opinions almost universaly held thor- 
oughout America, concerning the Claim of Taxation, I think 
every man has a right to judge & to speak his Judgement 
concerning Laws, tho' he hs no right to disobey them. It 
also seems to me that the Council of Boston which has opposed 
the calling for Troops & the Quartering of them ; which pub- 
lished their answer to the Governour before they had made it, 
and their proceedings without his knowlege & consent, 
should no longer be Democraticaly elected; but, like all 
other Councils be appointed by the Crown. Any measures 
short of these seem to me trifling and dangerous. 

We have at last expelled M"^ Wilkes : He will be rechosen 
for Middlesex, and then declared incapable of sitting in this 
ParHament according to precedent, after which the County 
must elect some other person. His Cause seems however 
drooping very fast, and will I am persuaded be soon forgotten. 



AMERICAN AFFAIRS 185 

Tho' he has been twice chosen Alderman of London, his 
Brethren will not let him sit among them, if they can help it, 
and I am told they can. 
I am with my best Comp? to all my Cousins Dear Sir 
P S Your Excellency's 

March, i. 1769 most faithful & 

There will be a Cabinet most obedient Servant 

on American affairs in a Barrington. 

few days when whatever is or is 
not to be done will be fixt. The Packett 
can be kept no longer and goes off to day. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square 21^*^ March 1769. 
Private. 

Dear Sir 

I am very sorry to inform your Excellency that there is no 
hope that any thing more effectual in regard to North America 
will be done in Parliament this Session : Vigorous and proper 
measures have been propos'd to the Cabinet, but it is under- 
stood they have met with Negatives there. I was directed 
to bring in the Short Act of last Year for continuing the 
American Mutiny Act without alteration or addition: I 
propos'd in the Committee a Clause, of which I send you a 
Copy: Court & Opposition who have never agreed in any 
thing else, joined in rejecting my Proposal. The duty I owe 
to the Crown, the State, the ParHament & the Army, required 
me to endeavour that the Mutiny Act in America should be 
executed; the conduct of the Justices and the Council of 
Boston has shewn it may be evaded. I am as Httle desirous 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 65. 



1 86 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

as any man, that Troops should be quartered in private 
houses; nor was that the intention of my Clause, but to engage 
the Americans to Quarter them according to the Act, by 
shewing that if they did not, worse inconveniences would 
happen to themselves than hireing empty houses and furnish- 
ing Bedding &c^ I confess I do not see how the Troops will in 
several places be put under cover after this tame acquiescence 
of Parliament in the disobedience of the Town of Boston, in 
respect to Quartering those which are there: Nothing but the 
happy expedient of appointing Commissaries, which occurred 
to You last Autumn could have procured legal Cover for them 
even at the expence of Great Britain. 

M!^ Pownal formerly Governeur of the Massachussets 
Bay, and Ml" Garth who is Agent for one of the Colonies, 
(both Members of ParUament) propos'd two Clauses which 
you will see in the Copy of the New American Mutiny Act, 
just pass'd, which I herewith enclose : I Hke them very well, 
& I think they would have produced good effects, if my Clause 
had been accepted likewise; but I have no conception, as 
things now stand, that any Man in America will take one 
Voluntary Step towards Quartering the Troops at the expence 
of the Colonies. I trouble your Excellency with these matters 
the more readily, as the being early apprized of them will 
enable you the better to give that assistance to the Troops at 
Boston which the present Circumstances will allow. 

I was acquainted two or three days ago with the opinion of 
Government that the next Pacquet ought not to sail for 
America without carrying out to You some mark of the 
King's favour that might shew his approbation of your conduct; 
and that it was therefore determined to create You a Baronet 
immediately. I well remember your indifference, to say the 
least, in respect to Honours of that kind; as likewise the 



SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 187 

peculiar delicacy of your Situation which you sometime since 
communicated to me: but I thought on the whole such a 
Spontaneous mark of Royal favour bestowed at this juncture 
should not meet with obstruction from Your friends. I was 
then asked how you were to be described in the Patent, 
I had recourse to M'' Blackborne, by whose advice I gave the 
following description, Francis Bernard of Nettleham in the 
County of Lincoln Esquire: The Patent is passing, and is 
already so far advanced, that I may safely wish You & 
Lady Bernard joy. I hope this will soon be followed by 
somewhat of a more sohd Nature. You are entitled to a 
great deal, and the worthy intelligent part of Mankind will 
not think your Services overpaid by any rewards you may 
receive. I have taken care that the whole of this matter 
shall be fully explained to M"? Berresford by MF Jackson 
and M^ Blackborne. I had almost forgot to add that the 
expence of your Patent will be paid by the Crown ; a thing 
very unusual, and therefore the more honourable. I am 
told it amounts to upwards of £300. I am with great truth 
& regard 

D'Sir 

Your Excellency's 
most faithful & 
obedient humble Servant 
Barrington. 



1 88 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston Feb 20 1769 
My Lord 

1 must appear negligent in not writing to your Lordship of 
late but I assure you that it is not for Want of Respect or 
Attention to Business. I am hard worked every way; & in 
writing I have none but myself & my third Son, who having 
taken his Degree of A.B. I am obliged to employ as a Copyist, 
not daring to trust Strangers. An Answer to your last could 
not have gone before, if it had been immediately wrote after 
their Receipt. 

The Affair of Virginia has long ago been settled in my 
Mind. As for the Title I see great Difficulties in declining 
it which did not attend the first Proposal. Many private 
Letters from London, which have been published in the 
Newspapers, mention an Intention to make me a Baronet, so 
that it has generally gained Credit. And my declaring that 
I had no Expectation of it (I meant immediate) has been 
interpreted, that I have refused it. This has made my 
Friends blame me for neglecting to take this Opportunity to 
advance my Family; & my Enemies for presuming to refuse 
his Majesty honours if they were really offered to me. M' 
Temple has made this a Subject of Part of a Libell he has 
lately published against me, which, as My Lord H has a little 
Share in it, I shall send to him by my next Packet. I could 
bear this ; but my Lord H ^ having kindly offered to take off 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 258. There is no letter to 
Lord Barrington between this and the one of Oct. 20, 1768. Governor Ber- 
nard, however, wrote an interesting letter to an unknown person during this 
interval, which will be found in Appendix I, under date of Dec. 23, 1768. 

2 The following, "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 261, is un- 
doubtedly to the Earl of Hillsborough and is interesting in connection with 
the above letter and the baronetcy. 



THE BARONETCY 189 

from me the Expence of the Patent, which I have since freely 
owned will be a Benevolence convenient to me, I know not 
how to refuse his Favours. I have therefore wrote to him 
that if his Lordship shall think that such an Appointment will 
promote his Majesty's Service either in this Station or in any 
other to which I may be appointed, which I must own I 
think it may, I shall most thankfully accept of this Honor, 
if his Majesty shall be pleased to confer it upon me. And I 
have for this Purpose been forming a Scheme which with a 
little Help, not unreasonable to request, will provide for an 
Income to attend upon this Honor. I have not the plan 
ready now, & If I had, I should not send it, as it it would 
look like making Terms. 

I have no Thoughts of going from hence 'till after the next 
Meeting of the Assembly, which will not be, without special 
Orders, untill the last Day of May. When the Session is 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH(?) 

private 

Boston Jan 26 1769 — 
My Lord 

I have the highest Sense of the Honor your Lordship has done me by your 
private Letter of Nov 19"^ & your kind Assurances of your favorable Disposi- 
tion towards me. The Regret of the Disappointment of your former Intention, 
was little more than momentary, & soon gave Way to the Calls of my Duty 
at that critical Time. 

I am extremely obliged to your Lordship for your Offer of freeing me from the 
Expence of a Baronets Patent, if his Majesty should confer it upon me. This was 
not a principal Objection with me tho it had some Weight : for since I have been 
in America now in the ii"' Year, I have made very little Advancement in my 
Estate, & for near 4 Years past I have gone backwards This your Lordship 
will easily beleive when I assure you that my Income for some Years past has 
not exceeded 1,000 Guineas a Year, and I am the first Man in a great Capital. 

I have no Appetite of Honors, but as they are public Testimonials of the 
King's Approbation of the Conduct of his Servants. In this Sense they are 
allways desirable, & at some Times 

for the rest of this Letter see the State letters 
[This is the way the letter ends.] 



igo BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

over, if Things are tolerably quiet & I have no particular 
Commands to execute, I should be glad to go to England so 
as to arrive there before Winter sets in. But if the Kings 
Service shall require my staying here I shall chearfully comply. 
Your Lordship is pleased to signify your Approbation of my 
Conduct : it is generally allowed that my spirited Message to 
the Convention contributed greatly to the preventing vio- 
lent Measures. My Friends here say that it was the boldest 
Act I have ever yet done ; & indeed I knew if their Delibera- 
tions has taken another Turn I was to have been seized; 
& whether my Life would have been spared or not would have 
been determined by very wicked Men. But it was quite 
necessary to the Kings Service ; & I did not ballance about the 
Consequences. 

My Friend M'' Temple as your Lordship has been pleased 
to call him some Time ago, has got Business enough upon 
his Hands now, not to need to quarrel with me. The Dis- 
putes between him & the other 4 Commissioners, which began 
soon after they arrived here & have improved with their 
knowledge of him have now got to such a head, that it is de- 
clared on both Sides that they cannot continue together: 
that is that the 4 Commissioners who have endeavoured to 
support their Commission & the Laws by which & for which 
it was constituted & have acted therein in Concurrence with 
& with the Advice & Approbation of all the Officers of the 
Crown, except M"^ Temple himself, must either be removed 
to keep M"^ Temple ; or the latter associated with the Party 
in Opposition to the Government & the Power of Parliament, 
& cooperating with them in endeavouring to prevent the 
Execution of the Commission & to obhge the Ministry & 
Parli™' to revoke it, & thereby restore the Inactivity of the 
Laws of Trade which prevailed before this Appointment, 



THE CONVENTION 191 

must be removed, that the Commissioners may go on with 
the Execution of their Office without Obstruction. This is 
just as if a Question was put whether M' Hutchinson or M"^ 
Otis was the fittest Person to be Governor of this Province : 
The Contrast is not greater in the former Case. I have bore 
no Part in this Dispute, except from the Effects it had upon 
my own Business, as it has been the Cheif Occasion of all the 
Opposition I have met with from the Council within these 
6 Months past : but I have not as yet assigned this Cause 
for it. As I have entered so far into this Business, your 
Lordship will use this Information with all due Caution & 
Secrecy. 

I am &c 
The Right honble 

The Lord Vise* Barrington 



LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

Cay: Square Ap. 5. 1769. 
Dear Sir, 

Since my former Letter began in March & herewith in- 
closed, I have raced your's dated feb. 20^'^ I am happy to 
find by it that you wish to have the honour which has been 
confer'd upon you. I can also give you the pleasure of know- 
ing that last Sunday the King spoke with the highest Ap- 
probation of your conduct & Services in his Closet to me. 
I am persuaded any proposal you shall 2 make for the advan- 
tage of your family will be kindly consider'd by his Majesty and 
his Servants. I shall make the proper use of the Particulars 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 81. 
2 First written "can." 



192 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

you send me concerning M' Temple. I am in great haste 
the Packett being to be dispatch'd this Evening but I am not 
with less truth 

Dear Sir 

Your Excellency's 
Your Patent most faithful & 

is passed. obed. humble Serv. 

I understand you are Barrington. 

directed to come hither, but 

Lord Hillsborough authorises me 

to say you need not be in any inconvenient 

haste to obey that instruction.^ 

^ The " Leave of Absence " is in " Bernard Papers," vol. xiii (Orders and 
Instructions), p. 243, and is as follows : — 
George R. 

Whereas Our Trusty and Welbeloved Francis Bernard, Esquire, Our Cap- 
tain General and Governor in Chief of Our Province of the Massachuset's 
Bay, in America, hath humbly represented unto Us, that his private Affairs 
may require his Residence for some Time in this Our Kingdom, and therefore 
hath humbly requested that We would be pleased to grant him a discretionary 
Leave to be absent from his Government, and to permit him to return into 
this Our Kingdom of Great Britain; We are graciously pleased to condescend 
to his Request, and accordingly do, by these Presents, give and grant unto 
him the said Francis Bernard, Our full and free Leave, Licence and Permission, 
to come from his said Government of the Massachuset's Bay into this Our 
Kingdom and to remain here until Our further Pleasure shall be signified. 
Given at Our Court at S: James's the Twenty second Day of June 1768. in 
the Eighth Year of Our Reign. 

By His Majesty's Command 

Hillsborough 
Gov^ Bernard Leave of Absence. 



JONATHAN CARVER 193 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH' 

Boston Feb: 21 1769 
My Lord 

Capt° Jonathan Carver commanded a Company in the 
Massachusets Forces during the whole of the late War; 
& behaved extremely well as has been certified to me by 
General Winslow Brigadeer Ruggles & other Officers under 
whom he served. After the War he accepted of an Offer 
from Major Rogers to appoint him a Surveyor of the Country 
about & beyond the Lakes at the Pay of 10^ a Day, & went 
with him to Machilimakinac. From thence he went upon 
his Survey & staid out among differant Nations near two 
Years. He went 500 Miles beyond Lake superior, & came 
among Indians who said that they had an easy Passage to 
the western Ocean, which was about 600 Miles from them; 
& that in a few Days Journey they came to a River which 
carried them to the western Ocean. But he could not un- 
dertake this Journey having spent all his Stores & having 
Nothing left for Presents to the Indians thro' which he was 
to pass. I write this from Memory of former Conversation 
& may mistake. Upon his Return to Mackilimackinac he 
learned that Major Rogers's Power to make such an Ap- 
pointment was denied, & there was no Office to which he could 
apply to for his Pay. He was therefore obliged to return to 
this Country to sollicit his Pay; which not being able to pro- 
cure here he is going to England, as well to sollicit Pay as to 
Report his Discoveries. 

As it is probable that his Case will come before your Lord- 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 138. Although this letter was 
written to the Earl of Hillsborough, it will be seen by the next letter that 
a dupHcate was sent to Lord Barrington. 



194 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

ship's Office, I have thought proper to give him this Letter 
to certify my Knowledge of him & Opinion of his Fidelity 
& honesty, & also Poverty acquired in many Years Service. 
The R' Hon ble The I am &c 

Earl of Hillsborough — 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston Feb 21 1769 
My Lord 

Capt° Jonathan Carver — & so forth as in the former 
Letter except the Words underlined 
omitted in Lord H's 

The R* Honble The I am &c 

Lord Vise* Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON 2 

Dup. Boston March 15 1769 
My Lord 

By a Letter from a Gentleman in London to his Friend 
here I have learnt that my Lord Hillsborough has expressed 
a Concern at some disagreeable Reports of me ; one only of 
which I have any Knowledge of, which is that I left the Town 
on the Arrival of the Troops. And by another Letter I 
understand that this Complaint has been made against me 
by L*^ Celonell Dalrymple who commanded the Forces from 
Halifax. 

If I had not lived long enough to wonder at Nothing, I 
should be surprised to find myself charged with so groundless 
an Accusation from one who as a private Gentleman I treated 
with the most friendly Regard ; and as a commanding Officer 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 139. ^ Ibid., p. 267. 



U COLONEL DALRYMPLE 195 

I waited upon with a Sedulity more inforced by my Attention 
to the Kings Service than reconcileable to the Dignity of 
my own Station. Tho I might leave such a trivial Charge 
to be refuted by my general Conduct ; yet least it should have 
made an Impression to my Disadvantage, I have thought 
proper to give your Lordship a true state of the Fact. 

When I am charged with leaving the Town on the Arrival 
of the Troops, would not any one imagine that the Town ^ 
was then the Place of my Residence ? But the Truth is that 
I at that Time & for several Months before resided at my 
House at Roxbury, 4 Miles from Boston, a Retreat so neces- 
sary for preserving my Health & affording me Leisure for 
writing, that I could not have gone thro my Business without 
it. From hence I have, during the Summer, attended my 
Business in Town with as much Punctuality as I could have 
done if I had resided in it. 

When the Troops were expected I had left Orders at the 
Castle that a Messenger should be sent to me as soon as the 
Ships appeared. This was so punctually executed, that I was 
at the Castle before the Ships had all come to Anchor & above 
an Hour before the commanding Officers got to the Castle — 
From this Day to the Time that the Troops landed I was at 
the Castle every Morning before 10 o clock & staid there till 
afternoon or Evening as I was wanted At one of our Con- 
sultations there it was determined to land the Troops at 
Boston : immediately after this Resolution was taken I went 
to the Sherriff of the County & gave him Orders to provide 
Horses & Carriages for the Baggage & Artillery which was 
punctually done. After Provision was made for every 
thing requireable of the civil Power, & the Sherriff of the County 
was ordered to wait on these Gentlemen I did not imagine that 
^ First written "Place." 



196 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

the personal Attendance of the Governor was either necessary 
or decent. 

Your Lordship must know that at the Time of the landing 
there was not the least Apprehension of Resistance, as a Proof 
of which the commanding Officer went into the Town an hour 
before any Body of Troops landed. Every thing was done 
in good Order & all Provisions which could be expected were 
made. I was therefore at a Loss to know how I came to be 
blamed for not attending this Parade; till I learned it was 
thought that I ought to have provided a Dinner for the 
Officers upon this Occasion. I own it never entered into 
my Head to make an Entertainment at a Time of so much 
Hurry & Confusion : I could not have done it at my own 
House; & I could not think it proper for me to open a Tavern 
upon this Occasion : And this is my only Neglect of Duty. 

This my Lord is the plain Narrative of Facts, upon which 
I shall make no Comment : But I shall only desire that if 
there is any Remembrance of this Charge to my Disadvantage, 
Your Lordship will use this Letter to my Vindication; if 

there is not, that you will excuse this Trouble. 

I am &c 
The R' Honble The 
Lord Viscount Barrington 
No dup 

P.S. I enclose Copies of the letters which passed between 
me & U Col Dalrymple before & after the Debarkation; 
from which it will appear that at the time when my Absence 
from Town was complained of I really was in Town & made 
an order for the accommodation of the troop, being all I 
could then do ; and the day after, I was in Town & in Council 
upon this business. My attending in person the debarkation 
was not only unnecessary but highly improper. 



IM POTENCY OF GOVERNMENT 197 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Dup : Boston March 18, 1769 

My Lord 

I am favoured with Your Lordship's Letter of Jan 2°"^; 
and am much obUged to you for the Hints it has conveyed of 
the Measures pursuing in Parliament, from which I know 
not how to expect that effectual Means will be used to restore 
the Kings Authority in this Province. I am sure that the 
Conclusion of the Address of the Lords will have no such 
Effect : for a simple Order to me to make Enquiry into the 
Proceedings, which have incurred the Penalties of Treason 
or Misprision of Treason, will have no other Consequence 
that to show the Impotency of Government; unless I am armed 
with some extraordinary Power to oblige Persons, whom I 
shall require to undergo an Examination, to submit to it. 
But I have no such Power at present; otherwise I should 
have exercised it long ago. And if I was to call before me, 
even by special Orders from the King, ever so many Persons 
knowing of the seditious & treasonable Practices of the Fac- 
tion here, & was to beg Leave to ask them a few Questions, 
I should be answered, as it is said the Secretaries of State 
were by Wilkes, ''You have leave to ask as many Questions 
as you please, but I beg leave to give no Answer to any of 
them." 

In short, my Lord, this Government is now brought to 
this State, that if the Cheifs of the Faction are not punished 
or at least so far censured as to be disquahfied from holding 
Offices; if the Appointment of the Council is not put into 
the Hands of the King; if the Governor & principal Crown 
Officers are not provided with adequate Salaries independent 
* "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 263, 



1 98 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

of the People, It signifies little who is Governor. Whoever 
he is, he must either Hve in perpetual Contention in vainly 
endeavouring to support the royal Rights, or he must pur- 
chase Peace by a prudential Sacrifice of them. If any one 
by a Comparison of former Times should doubt of this being 
a true State of the present, let him consider that untill the 
4 or 5 Years last past, the Power of Parliament was thought 
omnipotent, the Authority of the King was revered, the 
Governor & the Council his Assistants were respected, & the 
People in whom, by the Constitution, the cheif Weight of 
Power was lodged, were kept in awe by the Consideration 
that the Abuse of their Charter priviledges might occasion the 
Forfeiture of them. But for these 4 Years past so uniform 
a System of bringing all Power into the Hands of the People 
has been prosecuted without Interruption & with such Success, 
that all that Fear Reverence, Respect & Awe which before 
formed a tolerable Ballance against the real Power of the 
People, are annihilated & the artificial Weights being removed, 
the royal Scale mounts up & kicks the Beam. And I do assure 
your Lordship if I was to answer to his Majesty himself on 
this Subject, I would give it as my Opinion that if He cannot 
secure to himself the Appointment of the Council, it is not 
worth while to keep that of the Governor. For it would 
be better that Mass Bay should be a complete Republic like 
Connecticut than to remain with so few Ingredients of royalty 
in it as shall be insufficient to maintain the real royal Character. 
For my own Part I have gone too far, to think now of 
purchasing my Peace by giving up what I have thought my 
Duty to maintain ; even if I could be permitted to do it with- 
out being blamed. And as M"^ Townsends Acts, among 
which is that of Providing adequate Pay for the Governors 
&c, are condemned, altho' the Execution of the Sentence is 



ANOTHER GOVERNMENT 199 

respected, I can form no Prospect in this Country ; notwith- 
standing from my liking the Climate & loving the People I 
had formed Connections here, in parting with which I shall 
have some Loss, as well as pain. It is therefore extremely 
agreeable to me to see your Lordship's Concern to get me re- 
moved to some other Government or a Provision at Home : 
tho I have no Hopes of the latter, as I am sensible how many 
Expectants there are for every Vacancy that happens. 

It is a long Time since I first mentioned my Desire of having 
Barbadoes. In my Letter of Sep : i. 1766 to your Lordship I 
mention the Governments then vacant & having declined 
Jamaica & the leeward Islands I add that I should most 
thankfully accept Barbadoes. In Jan''^ 1767 I was advised 
by M' Jackson that I might very possibly change my Govern- 
ment if I wished for it. In Answer to this I informed him of 
what I had wrote to your Lordship on this Subject, & desired 
him to talk with You upon it ; & I accepted his Offer of rep- 
resenting my Case to Lord Shelburne. And I wrote to your 
Lordship informing you of what passed between me & M' 
Jackson by my Letter of Jan"^ 20. About a Year after this 
D'' Spry was appointed to Barbadoes : I cant say but that I 
was mortified at this; & thought my Services & Sufferings 
much overlooked in seeing myself postponed to a Gentleman 
whose pubUc Merit seemed to consist in his having lived 2 
Years in a disagreeable Place with Uttle to do & nothing to 
suffer or to fear. This is the State of my thoughts on Bar- 
badoes concerning which my Opinion is not changed. For 
tho I would avoid a hot Climate in general Yet I have had such 
favorable Accounts of the temperature of this Island, that 
I would venture upon it; especially as all other Considera- 
tions make the Appointment very desirable. M^ Bernard 
joins with me in these Sentiments, as she does in that per- 



20O BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

petual Respect & Gratitude which I have so frequent Occasion 
to express for your Lordship : with which I am My Lord &c. 
The Right Honble 
The Lord Viscount Barrington — 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON ^ 

Boston April 12 1769 
My Lord 

Your Lordship has foreseen the Necessity of my being 
removed from hence : it is become very apparent ; for we 
have just now learned that any one who will pay for them 
may have Copies of the Letters & Papers laid before the 
Parliament. There are just now arrived 6 of my Letters 
& I of General Gage's attested by the Clerk of the Papers ; 
& M' Bollan who has sent them hither promises the rest as 
soon as they can be copied. The Councellors to whom they 
were sent immediately met, & ordered these Papers to be 
printed ; but the Publication of them is deferred untill Ob- 
servations can be finished to accompany them, which a Gentle- 
man has been hard at Work upon & will have completed in 
a Day or two. They are then to be sent about the Province 
in order to inflame the People against the Election in May 
next, which they will effectually do. In the Mean time they 
have been read by the whole Town at the Printers. 

This puts an End to all my Hopes of doing any good here 
& necessarily turns all my future Views out of this Province. 
For it is impossible for a Governor who has been engaged in 
such Contests as I have been, & has as well by special Orders 
as by his own Sense of His Duty, given free & full Information 
of the Proceedings of the factious Party, to think of staying 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 278. This letter was headed 
"Private," but later it was crossed off. 



HIS LETTERS PUBLISHED 201 

in the Province, after his most confidential Letters are put 
in the Hands of the Faction and printed & dispersed among y 
the People. For tho the Letters may be very justifiable 
with indifferent & impartial Persons, yet it cannot be expected 
that they will be treated with any Degree of Candour by 
those whom they affect. 

I have thought proper to give your Lordship this Account 
that you may see that the Question of providing for me else- 
where is determined. I have before signified my Thoughts 
of going to England after I have held the next Session : but 
it is now made a Question whether I shall be able to hold the 
next Session at All ; ^ Some of the Coimcil having insinuated 
that I shall not. However I shall make the Trial ; & shall 
do every thing I can to defeat the Intention of the Councellors 
& to weather this fresh Storm. As soon as these Papers are 
published I will write to your Lordship again. 
The R* Honble The I am &c 

Lord Visc^ Barrington. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 2 

Cavendish Square June 4^^ 1769 
Dear Sir, 

I have communicated to Lord Hillsborough your Letter 

of the 15^?* of March concerning a Complaint made by 

Colonel Dalrymple, whose representations have done you 

no harm except among those who were before very ill inclined 

towards you. His Lordship is not one of this number, and 

agrees with me that your whole conduct in respect to the 

Troops has been not only innocent, but highly meritorious. 

Whoever had a doubt before, must be clear in respect to that 

^ Followed by "or no," then crossed off. 

2 "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 99. 



202 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

matter after reading your Letter which I am now answering, 
and the Papers by which it is accompany'd. 

I have also shewn to Lord Hillsborough your Letter of the 
iS*!" the opinions of which he entirely approves. As to that 
part of it which concerns your self, he would most undoubtedly 
offer you Barbadoes if it were vacant. I have never forgotten 
your determination concerning that Government; but as I 
never lived in any sort of intimacy with Lord Shelburne I did 
not mention it to him : You have lost nothing by my Silence. 

I am now come to your Letter of the 12'^ of April the last 
I have received from you. When it became necessary to 
Communicate the Situation of America to Parliament, none 
of the material lights received from thence could be retain'd, 
I mean those which came in an official Way. Every Paper 
laid before either House is immediately known to the whole 
world, a very inconvenient Circumstance in our Government: 
I do not however see how the knowlege of your Correspond- 
ence can do you any harm in the Massachusets, for there is 
not one expression in it which goes injuriously to the Colony, 
quite otherwise. It is true you do not spare the factions, 
and it is your merit to have attack'd and resisted them in 
every possible way, by which you were as obnoxtious to them 
before your Letters were seen, as since : Besides you are on 
the point of leaving your Government, and I have even 
doubts whether this Letter will reach you. I shall not write 
any more unless I find you continue on the other side of the 
Water longer than I expect. I wish you, Lady Bernard and 
all my Cousins a safe & happy passage, and I am to them all 
as well as to your Excellency, 

A most faithful 

& obedient humble Servant 

Bariongton. 



POLITICS 203 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTONi 

Boston May 30^^" 1769 
My Lord 

Your Lordships Letter of feb 12-March i did not come to 
my hands till May 20. Your Sentiments of the Proceedings 
in Parliament exactly correspond with those of the Servants 
of the Crown & the Friends of Government on this Side of 
the Water; who are now more dispirited that ever; as on 
the other hand the Sons of Liberty are much more elevated. 
However I myself have Hopes that some thing more will be 
done before the Parliament rises : if there is not, this Govern- 
ment will soon become an anarchical Democracy ; a strange 
Compound of Policy ! 

Tomorrow the new Assembly meets, which will be allmost 
wholly composed of the Tools of the Faction. Many of the 
Friends of Government have^ been turned out; Many have 
declined serving ; the few who will be ^ in the House will be 
only Spectators. So that the Faction will have every thing 
in their hands. As to the Coimcil if I was to attempt to 
reform that Body by Negatives, I must reject two thirds of 
them : but this is become now so trifling an Expedient, that 
I would not negative a single Person, if I was not afraid of 
incurring Blame by so doing. What I shall do in this will 
now be more as a Salvo for myself than for any real Use. 
That Board must now be corrected in its Body & not in its 
Members. 

I have lately received an Order from the King that I should 
repair to England to lay before him a State of the Province : 
this is much better that meer Leave of Absence, It was accom- 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 293. 

2 First written "having." 

^ First written "have been," then changed to "will be." 



204 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

panied with the Honour, which I suppose was thus timed to 
prevent any triumph from Insinuation that I was removed 
in Disgrace. As I persuaded myself that it would be ex- 
pected I should stay the Opening of the Session, I was not 
prepared to depart before it; & it seems to be best that I 
should stay thro' it, disagreeable as the Business is like to 
be. When that is over I shall get away as fast as I can prob- 
ably by the End of July. I expect to be accommodated with 
a Passage in the Rippon which carried Lord Botetourt to 
Virginia. Lady Bernard stays behind me : she begs to join 
in our ^ respectful CompP to Your Lordship. 

I am with &c. 
The R* Honble The 
L"^ Vise* Barrington 

P S. June. 1^* 

By the Delay of this Letter I have an Opportunity to send 
your Lordship a printed Account of the Proceedings in the 
General Court on yesterday & this day ; from which you will 
perceive that the Faction has now got full Possession of this 
Government. They have turned out of the Council 4 Gentle- 
men of the first Characters, the only Men of Disposition & 
Ability to serve the Crown left in it. I have negatived 11 of 
the List of the Elected, being 5 more than I ever negatived 
before at one time; among these are 2 old Councellors the 
cheif Movers of the late Opposition to the Kings Authority 
from the Council. All things are going into Confusion; & 
it will grow worse & worse untill the Parliament interposes to 

Purpose. 

F. B. 

(Second Postcript to the Duplicate of the Letter to Lord 

Barrington 2 dated May 30, 1769) 

* First written "her." ^ "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 299. 



TEE ASSEMBLY 205 

2nd Postcript June 27 
To the present enclosed Duplicate I add an original Post- 
cript to introduce some more Inclosures to show in what 
Manner the Faction, which has at length got Possession of 
both Houses, is disposed to proceed. They have before 
refused to do Business at Boston, imless the Troops were 
removed: I have thereupon moved the Assembly to Cam- 
bridge at 4 Miles distance from the Troops : they now say 
that they will not do any Business unless all the Troops are 
removed from the Province ; this I mean to be said without 
Doors ; when they declare it from the House in form I shall 
know what to do. However every one tells me they will 
persist in it : all I shall have to do will be to get a positive 
Declaration from them. And yet if the Troops are removed 
the principal OflSicers of the Crown, the friends of 'Govern- 
ment, & the importers of goods from England in defiance of 
the Combination, who are considerable & numerous must 
remove also. I shall write to Your Lordship further upon 
this. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON^ 

Boston July 8 1769 
My Lord 

I had but just time in my last Packet to acknowledge ^ 
your Lordship's Letter of March 21-April i. Since this no 
Ship has sailed from hence to London ; & I have been fully 
employed as your Lordship will see by the inclosed papers. 

If there has been a Difference of Opinion in the Adminis- 
tration about American Measiures, as we learn by wofull 
Experience there has. It cannot continue a Year longer; 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. viii (Letter Book), p. i. 
* First followed by "the Receipt of," then crossed off. 



2o6 BARRJNGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

for the Americans will make them open their Eyes in Spight 
of their Teeth, & tell them in Words of Scripture "you are 
careful about many Things but one Thing is needful." There 
is but one Way now of dealing with America : Lenitives have 
brought the Disease to its present Height & will if continued 
make it incurable. 

A Member of Parliament (a friend of your Lordships & a 
protestee against the late inactive Proceedings) writes to his 
friends here, that he does not see that any thing will rouse 
the Government, but the Americans attacking the Naviga- 
tion Act. If that is wanting it will not be so long : for I can 
assure you the Navigation Act is a principal Object with 
them. Some Months ago one of the Cheifs of the Faction 
here said in a Company consisting cheifiy of his own Party, 
that things would never be properly settled in America till 
the Parhament had repealed all the Acts affecting the Ameri- 
can Trade from the 15'^^ of Charles 2 to the present time. 
This I took down from a Gentleman who heard it spoke; & 
you may tell it to M' Stanley as a Fact. 

Your Lordship will judge of the temper & disposition of 
the Faction & its Creatures who are no less than the whole 
Council & the whole House (excepting some few Members 
of the latter who never come near it) from the Papers I send 
you with this, which are a Continuation of the Papers pub- 
lished by the House. I have no time to animadvert upon 
these; but must observe that upon the Publication of the 
Resolves on July 3, The Speaker denied that those Resolves 
had all passed the House ; The Clerk of the House insisted 
that they had passed the House ; & that it was a true Copy. 
However the House has again taken them into Re-Considera- 
tion, & has, as I understand, qualified the second, in this 
Edition, so that it shall refer to Acts of Taxation only, whereas 



MUTINY ACT 207 

at present it extends to all Acts ^ whatsoever. But this is 
only procrastinating : for both their Arguments and their 
Intentions lead equally to all Acts of Parliament. 

Your Lordship judges right of the Efficacy of the Additional 
Clauses in the Mutiny Act : they will have no Effect in this 
Country. I am assured for certain, that the House will 
make no Provision for the Expence of hiring Barracks here, 
nor for the Parliamentary Provisions in such Barracks; 
neither will they provide any Funds for making any farther 
Provisions for the Troops in the Provincial Barracks at Castle 
Island. I expect to be able to inclose in the Cover of this an 
Account of a positive Refusal of this Demand : So that you 
must not depend upon the Mutiny Act for quartering Sol- 
diers in this Country. The inlosed Papers will show you what 
you have to expect : but that is of another Kind than Obedi- 
ence to Acts of Parliament. — I expect to have an Oppor- 
tunity of adding another short Letter to this ; so will conclude 
this with assuring you that I am with a most perfect Respect 

My Lord &c — 
TheR HonbleThe 

L Vise* Barrington 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON « 

Boston July 13 1769 
My Lord 

I have not been able as yet to get from the House ari Answer 

concerning Provision for the Troops: but it is certain they 

will refuse doing any thing at all under the Act of Parliament 

or otherwise. I here inclose to your Lordship a complete 

Set of the Papers published by the House during this Session 

^ Followed by "of Taxation," then crossed off. 
2 "Bernard Papers," vol. viii (Letter Book), p. 3. 



2o8 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

& shall ^ add what is to come. As for that Resolve concern- 
ing Acts of Parliament which was afterwards altered by the 
House, You will find the Substance of the original Resolve 
in allmost the same Words in their Message of June 13 : this 
has received no Alteration. The Rippon is just now come 
into the Harbour & I expect to embark in her by the End of 
this Month. 

I am &c 
The Rt Honble The 
L^ Vise* Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD ^ 

Beckett September the f^ 1769. 
Dear Sir, 

I most sincerely congratulate you on your safe arrival in 
England, and think my self very unfortunate in being here, 
at a time when perhaps you may want me in London. I am 
obliged to stay here till Monday, having my house full of 
Company who continue with me till then : On tuesday before 
dinner I shall be in London, and hope to get to the War office 
by two o'clock, it being my ofl&ce day : I will endeavour to 
wait on you in Chidleigh Court as I go thither, and shall 
be able to fix a time when we may have a great deal of Con- 
versation on many Subjects. I hope you left Lady Bernard 
& my Cousins in perfect health. I am with great truth & 
regard 

Dear Sir 

Your most obedient 

humble Servant Barrington. 

1 Followed by "have the Pleasure," then crossed off. 
'"Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 131. 



IN ENGLAND 209 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD » 

Beckett Oct^ 12. 1769. 
Dear Sir, 

I have been considering that the admirable Canoe you were 
so good as to give me will be useless here. Nobody can navi- 
gate it or will venture to go into it. If it receive damage 
nobody can mend it, & I have no place to put it in. On the 
whole therefore, after retuning you many thanks for so 
curious & valuable a present, let me beg of you to give it to 
some other friend. It is still at my house in Cavendish Square. 

I cannot write to you without making you many sincere 
acknowlegments for your kind visit here. I am with my 
Compliments to my Cousin 

P. S. Dear Sir 

If you are at a loss Your most faithful 

how to bestow the Canoe, & obedient hiunble Servant 

Cap. Barrington shall present it in Barrington. 

your name to the Duke of Cumberland. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 2 

Beckett Oct^ iS*?" 1769. 
Dear Sir, 

I can see no Publick objection to your Succeeding Sir Henry 
Moor ; on the contrary I think it elegible : But would 
the assembly of New York grant you a Salary in your present 
state of American unpopularity? That point once secured, 
I think you should propose your appointment to Lord Hills- 
borough the first time you see him ; telling him if you think 
proper that I have advised you so to do. However in my 
Opinion nothing should retard the grant of your pension, 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 151. ^Ibid., p. 153. 



210 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

which once obtaind you may talk of other matters more at 
your ease ; besides you should be paid here from the moment 
when your Salary ended at Boston. 

I shall be in London the 30^*' of this month. I am with 
great truth and esteem Dear Sir 

Your most faithful 
All here send Comp? humble Servant 

to you and my Cousin. Barrington. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square 30*'' Nov^ 1771. 
Dear Sir, 

Tho' it is impossible to hear of the death of M''^ Beresford 
without lamenting the loss of so excellent a Woman, I cannot 
help rejoicing at the considerable addition made to your 
Fortune : I know you will make the best use of it. I con- 
gratulate two of my Cousins on the handseme Legacy which has 
been left to them ; & their Sisters on the paternal Settlement 
which you are going to make in their favor. I am very sensible 
of your friendly attention in communicating this event to me. 
The unexpected Vote lately carried in the House of Com- 
mons in Ireland by a large Majority, I conceive will prevent 
the New Commission's taking place, or at least Suspend its 
operations ; A circumstance which in all probability will be 
convenient to You, as M""^- Beresford's death must be the 
occasion of a good deal of business, which could not be well 
done in your absence. 

I am, with my best compliments to all with you, 
Dear Sir 

Your most faithful & 
Obedient humble Servant 

Barrington. 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 235. 



IN ENGLAND 211 

LORD HARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 1 

Cavendish Square Tan : 7. 1772 
Dear Sir, 

Since my arrival in Town, I have seen Lord North who 
desires me to inform you with his Compliments, that it will 
not be expected that you should do any thing contrary to 
your incUnations or hurtful to your health. I do not beleive 
it is determin'd that the Irish Commissions of Revennue shall 
be establish 'd, but if they should be you will be wilUngly 
allow 'd to remain as you now are. 

I know one of your objects in going to Ireland was to pro- 
vide for my cousin Tom : There is now vacant a small ofi&ce 
in my recommendation, which after paying a deputy will I 
beleive produce a sine cure 6o£ per annum. If that triffle 
be agreable to you, and to him, it is at your service. It be- 
comes vacant by the death of my worthy and ingenious 
friend M? Stillingfleet for whom I promised it some years ago. 

I hope your health continues mending & I am with the 

greatest truth & regard 

Dear Sir 

Most faithfully yours 

Barrington 
My Comp? attend 

my Cousins. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 2 

^ ^ Cavendish Square Tan 20*^!^ 1772. 

Dear Sir, •' ^- " 

Hearing that the Commissions of Customs and Excise in 
Ireland were to take place, I went this morning to Lord 
North, and enquired whether your name stood in one of 
them. He said it did for the present ; but that your attend- 

1 " Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 243. ^Ibid., p. 245. 



212 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

ance was not required now, and that if you chose on the whole 
to decline that Service on Account of your health, you should 
remain with your pension, and a Succeessor should be ap- 
pointed : Your mind may therefore be perfectly at ease on 
this Subject. 

I hope Bath has done you service already and will per- 
fectly restore you soon. Pray let me hear frequently of 
your health & beleive me ever, D' Sir 

P. S Most faithfully yours 

My Cousin Tom is appointed, Barrington 

but he need not come to Town on that Acc^ 

SIR FRANCIS BERNARD TO LORD BARRINGTON (?) ^ 

Bath Feb i- 1772 
My Lord 

/ 1 received the favor of yours of the 29*^ & am extremely 
obhged to your Lordship for your ^ concern for me. / I did 
not immagine if it was proper for the Irish Business to go on 
immediately that it would be ^ be Stoppeded on account of 
altering my name in the Commission as that might occasion 
a great deal of delay which might be all saved hereafter with 
a very Httle trouble. I am much obliged to my Lord North 
for allowing me a further time to consider of this undertak- 
ing tho I dont think that it can make any alteration in my 
desire to retire — this attack has quite frightened me & I 
cannot in my own Mind realize the expectation every body 
gives me that I shall not be the worse for it. however as long 
as the pubHc business is not impeded by me I am very will- 
ing that the matter should rest till I am able to apologize 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. viii (Letter Book), p. i8o. 

^ Followed by "care of &," then crossed out. 

* First written "& it cou'd," then changed to "that it would be." 



ILLNESS 213 

myself for this disappointment if it must be one, so that it 
it be done without creating any dependance on me to serve 
in this Capacity, the waiting for this cannot make ^ a delay 
of more than 2 or 3 Months. I began drinking the Waters 
last Monday & they agree very well with me, but yesterday 
I got a little Cold & I must wait the event of that before I 
can go on with them — mine I find is a common case & 
will probably be remedied without Bathing. 

My Son was expected at Kensington on Thursday last & 
will wait on your Lordship Soon after his Arrival. Lady B. 
talks of setting out for Bath soon after her arrives & I hope 
she will make no unnecessary delay, for it is unpleasant to me 
to be separated from my Family at this time only my eldest 
Daughter being with me. 

I return Your Lordship many thanks for your kind care of 

me & am 

With great Respect 

My Lord 

Your Lordships^ 

most obedient 

humble Servant 

* First written " create." 

^ Followed by "faithful & obedient Serv*," then changed to "most obedient 
humble Servant." 



214 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD^ 

Cavendish Square March lo. 1772. 
Dear Sir, 

Tho' I frequently meet Lord North I had no good oppertu- 
nity of speaking to him about you till this day. He will replace 
you in the Pension when a proper person is found to succeed 
you in the Irish Employment, but for the present your name 
must continue in the Commission, & you will be paid as a 
Commissioner. He says you need not however give your 
self the least concern about Ireland : No Man can be more 
inclined to serve and obUge another than Lord North is with 
respect to you. 

I shall keep an Ensigncy in a good Reg* for my Cousin and 
namesake who may go with you to France if you desire it. 
Dijon is a pretty Town in a fine Country, but I do not beheve 
the Air (tho' good) is any thing extraordinary in Burgundy. 
I hope wherever you are that your health will perfectly re- 
turn, & that you will enjoy every comfort of Life. I am 

ever Dr Sir 

Your most faithful 

humble Serv*^ 

BARRINGTON. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 2 

Cavendish Square 20*?" March 1772. 
Dear Sir, 

I agree entirely in opinion with you that you ought to have 
a Letter from Lord North, securing your return to the Pension 
whenever you shall be removed from the Commission. I see 
no objection to your applying in the manner you propose 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 247. ^ Ibid., p. 251. 



PENSION 215 

for your continuing on the Pension for Six months longer. I 

saw your Son this morning, but I could not give him any 

intelligence concerning the manner or place of receiving 

the Irish Salary : but I apprehend you must appoint an 

Agent in that Kingdom. 

I am with my best compliments to Lady Bernard, & my 

Cousins 

Dear Sir 

Your most faithful & 

obedient humble Servant 

Barrington 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD ^ 

Cavendish Square April 13*^!^ 1772. 
Dear Sir, 

I always go to Beckett at Easter for a few days to settle 
Accounts do business &c, but I never encourage any of my 
friends at that time to call on me, as I am totally incapable 
of receiving then, even with tollerable convenience. I have 
no Servants but my old superannuated Housekeeper, who 
gets me a beefstake; and the House remains unfurnish'd as 
every thing is taken down at the beginning of the winter on 
account of the Damp. That Damp still continues, & I 
fear would make it dangerous for a convalescent. On these 
Accounts I must not wish to see you at Beckett till the 
Summer comes & my family goes down — I shall then receive 
you and any of my Cousins with the greatest pleasure. 

If however you want to see me now, I will receive you as 
well as I am able, any Day between Easter Sunday & the 
Thursday following, unless I should be suddenly calld away 
on account of Insurrections from the dearness of Provisions, 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 257. 



2i6 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

which have begun, & I fear will spread. Your best way 
from Bath is by Ciceter and Faringdon. If you come, be 
pleased to let me know the day by a Line directed to me at 
Beckett near Faringdon, by the Cross Post. I hope you are 
in a fair way to be soon perfectly well, and I am with the 
greatest truth & regard D' Sir 

Your most faithful 
& obed Servant 

Bailrington. 
Cav: Square April 13. 1772. 

LORD BARRINGTON TO SIR FRANCIS BERNARD 1 

Beckett April 23^ 1772 
Dear Sir, 

Last night I received your Letter of the 19*?" Instant 
enclosing a Copy of a Letter from you to Lord North, which 
to me seems proper and reasonable in the highest degree: 
What you ask you ought to claim, & he ought to grant. 

I am very glad you did not come hither : The roads are 
worse than I ever remember them, the Country more deep 
and dirty, the weather till to day bad, and the House damp. 
I hope you and my Cousins will think of this place when it is 
more fit to receive you. I am ever D' Sir 

Your most faithful 
humble Servant 
P. S. Barrington. 

Your next sh? be 
directed to London. 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 253. 



PENSION 217 

SIR FRANCIS BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON ^ 

Copy — Aylesbury Jan 4 1774. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship gave me Leave to trouble you again upon 
my Subject, to point out to you the great need there is of 
settling my Affairs at the Treasury, and to show how much 
I am affected by the delay of it. And I have had fresh Occa- 
sion to do this since I left London, having had Returns of 
my Disorder, tho' not quite in the same Shape. Having had 
an Opportunity of talking with D"^ Smith of Oxford, who has 
before been acquainted with my Case, He earnestly recom- 
mended a change of Climate, which he said would do me more 
Service than the whole class of Medicines, and proposed my 
going to the South of France, to Tours or Dijon &c. This 
would be extreamely agreeable to me, and I believe very bene- 
ficial in other Respects as well as that of Health. 

Your Lordship may remember that when I wrote to you 
from Bath in feby 72, I then mentioned my having this De- 
sign, and I then sollicited my being released from my Office 
in Ireland and restored to my Pension, as the means to enable 
me to carry this Purpose into Execution. But by the Delay 
of my Release, I was obliged to postpone my Journey to 
France and at length to lay it aside and flatter myself with 
the hopes of doing without it; till I at length am told that 
it is necessar}^ to the Recovery of my health, and should be 
pursued presently ; which I must now do under greater diffi- 
culties and to greater Disadvantages than it would have 
been if it had been set about when it first was proposed; 
to say nothing of the Loss of Time, which in this case is a 
material Circumstance. 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 289. 



2i8 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

To facilitate your Lordship's Sollicitation and to refresh 
your Memory of what I have before given you too much 
trouble in, I shall with this inclose Copies of the cheif original 
Papers, which I have before presented ; which, if the Origi- 
nals should not be at hand, may be used as such. I have 
proposed only, that your Lordship should speak to M"" Robin- 
son on this Subject ; if you should see an Occasion to go farther, 
I must leave it to your Judgement, as I have no doubt of 
your perfect good will towards me. 

The Objects of my present Sollicitation are i. That I may 
be restored to my Pensions with a Satisfaction for the Loss 
I have suffered by the Deficiency of the Equivalent given 
in Lieu of them. 2. That upon the Revival of them, part, 
£400 (or if it should be more agreeable ^300 or ^ 200) shall be 
appointed for the Life of Lady Bernard. The first of these I 
consider as allready assured to and wanting only a formal 
Settlement. The other is indeed a new Request : but it is 
only that out of a Bounty granted to me a provision may be 
made for my Wife in the way of Defalcation from me, and 
not by any additional charge. This will be only anticipating 
what will otherwise be a charge on the King's benevolence, 
upon my Death ; which will be unavoidable, if it shall appear 
as it will most probably be, that my Life was shortened by 
my fideUty in the Kings Service, and the Consequences of it. 

For in truth, my Lord, when I reflect upon my case, I can- 
not but consider myself as a Martyrr to the Cause of Great 
Britain. For if the Parliament had not taxed the Colonies ; 
or if I had not in the height of my Zeal for my Mother Coun- 
try, and the Service of the King tho't it my Duty to support 
the Authority of Parliament ; or if the Parliament had thought 
it their Business to support their own Authority, I should 
probably at this time have been in Ease, affluence and Health, 



PENSION 219 

and should have attained many more Years than I am now 
like to see. And then I should not have had an occasion to 
sollicit a Subsistence out of the publick Stock, without mak- 
ing an actual Service a Consideration of my pay. It is there- 
fore with much Regret that I am become a Pensioner or desire 
to be one. 

Your Lordship's Friendship has been the Balm of my Life, 
and now it supports me in persisting in my Endeavours, 
before I go hence, to see my Family decently provided for; 
one Means of which is the Extending my Life to a few more 
Years; and upon that Account I desire to be at Liberty to 
take the best care of it that I can. I therefore intend, if I 
have Leave, to go abroad next Summer : but shan't be able 
unless my Dependance on Government shall in some way or 
other be made certain. 

I am &c 

Fra Bernard 
The Right Hon'''^ 
The Lord Vic* Barrington 



APPENDICES 
I 

Letters, Official and Others 

LORDS OF TRADE TO GOVERNOR BERNARD i 

Whitehall, March ii^^ 1763 
Sir 

We have taken into Our Consideration your letter to Our 
Secretary, dated the first of December, and the several 
Papers which you have addressed to the Board, relative to 
the Grant of the Island of Mount Desart, which the General 
Court of Massachusets Bay is represented to have made to 
you in July 1762. 

We can have no objection to your acceptance of this Grant 
as a Testimony of the approbation and favour of that Prov- 
ince, in whose Service, and in the Conduct of whose Affairs, 
you have manifested so much zeal and capacity, nor should 
We have delayed Our Representation upon it to the Crown, 
if the deed itself had been before Us. You are sensible there 
are some Circumstances peculiar to the situation of this 
Trait of Country which make it necessary to consider both 
the Case itself, and the manner of carrying such a Grant inta 
Execution : When We shall be actually in Possession of the 
Grant We will bring the Matter to issue with all possible 
Dispatch, and endeavour to decide whatever questions arise 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 63. 



222 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

upon it, in a manner which shall be agreable, and upon grounds 
which shall be just to all Parties concerned. 

It may be proper to observe to you, that the doubt con- 
ceived upon the Claim of the Province of Massachusets is 
not founded upon the Allegation, that the lands to the East 
of Penobscot were not in the Possession of the Crown at the 
time of Granting the Charter, but upon the Operation which 
the Treatys of Riswick and Breda (by which Treaties this 
Tract of Country was ceded to France) should be ad- 
mitted to have had upon the Charter itself. 

We cannot take upon Us at present to say how far all 
future Consideration of this Question is precluded by the 
Order of Council grounded upon the Opinion of the Attorney 
and Solicitor General in 1731, this is a delicate point, which 
should be reserved till the deed shall come regularly before 
Us, and in the mean time We cannot think it expedient to 
advise any conditional Grant whatever of this Island. We are 
Sir 
Your most Obedient 
humble Servants 

C. TOWNSHEND 
SOAME JeNYNS 

E: Bacon 
Francis Bernard Esq. 
Gov. of the Massachusets Bay Orwell 



APPENDIX I 223 

MINUTES OF THE TREASURY BOARDS 

Whitehall Treasury Chambers 28 Nov^ 1764 
Present 
M^ Granville. 
Lord North. 
S' John Turner. 
M^ Hunter. 
M^ Harris. 

My Lords are of Opinion, that no Commander in Chief 
or Governor is authorised to incurr any Expence for which 
Money has not already been granted by Parliament, or which 
has not been previously approved of by His Majesty and His 
Majesty's Orders signified by this Board for that purpose. 
2*^}^ That if any Governor or Commander in Chief shall 
be of Opinion that any Expence ought to be incurred for the 
Good of Hjs Majesty's Service, he is previously to make 
Representation thereof to the proper Ofi&ce at home, who are 
to communicate the same to this Board that His Majesty's 
Pleasure may be taken thereupon, and that proper Estimates 
may be laid before Parliament to the End that such Sums 
may be granted as Parliament shall think necessary for that 
purpose. 

3"^!^ That if sudden and unforeseen Emergencies should 
arise, where it is absolutely necessary that the Service should 
be undertaken before His Majesty's Pleasure can be known, 
or the necessary Sums be granted by Parliament for that 
purpose such Governor or Commander in chief may in 
these Cases only draw upon the Lords Commissioners of 
His Majesty's Treasury, and on no other Person whatever, 
^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 258. 



224 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

and at the same Time that he make such Draught he is to 
transmit to their Lordships as well as to the proper Office 
to whose Department the Service so undertaken particularly 
belongs, Information thereof with the Reasons why consist- 
ently with the Good of the Service it was not possible to 
delay the incurring such Expence until such Time as the Reg- 
ulations above mentioned could be complied with, 
^thiy That all Governors and Commanders in Chief be 
acquainted that no Bills will be accepted until the Informa- 
tion above required be received, and that they be at the 
same Time apprized, that they will become Accountants to 
His Majesty for the Sums they shall respectively draw upon 
the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, and 
that in passing and allowing their Accounts for the Expen- 
diture of the same their Lordships will take into Consider- 
ation not only the Authenticity of the Vouchers, but the 
urgent Necessity of the Services so undertaken, and the 
Reasonableness of the Prices at which the same were per- 
formed. 

M^ Chancellor of the Exchequer is desired, to lay this 
Minute, containing the humble Opinion of this Board, upon 
a Subject of so much Importance, before His Majesty, that 
if His Majesty shall be pleased to approve thereof, His Royal 
Pleasure may be signified thereupon in such manner as His 
Majesty shall direct. 



APPENDIX I 225 

JOHN POWNALL TO GOVERNOR BERNARD » 

Whitehall Dec^ f^ 1764. 
Sir, 

His Majesty having been pleased to approve a Minute 
made by the Treasury Board on the 28*^^ of November last, 
in relation to publick Expences, which may be incurred, or 
Bills drawn, by any Commander in Chief or Governor ; I am 
directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Planta- 
tions to send you the inclosed Copy of the said Minute for 
your Information and at the same Time to acquaint you, 
that the Regulations of the said Minute are not to be under- 
stood to extend to Money which has been or may be voted 
by Parliament to support the civil Government of the Colonies, 
or to any Establishments which have received His Majesty's 
Approbation. I am. Sir 

Your most obedient 
humble Servant 

John Pownall 
Francis Bernard Esq- 
Govf of the Massachusets Bay. 

SECRETARY AT WAR TO THE EARL OF HALIFAX 2 

Extract of a Letter from the Secretary 
at War to the Earl of Halifax. 

War Office f^ Feb?' 1765. 

His Majesty's Intention is, that according to His Commis- 
sions granted for that Purpose, the Orders of His Commander 
in Chief & under him of the Brigadiers General commanding 
in the Northern & Southern Departments, in all military 
^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 254. ^Ibid., p. 272. 



226 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Matters, shall be supreme, & must be obeyed by the Troops, 
as such, in all the Civil Governments in America. 

That in Cases where no specific Orders have been given 
by the Commander in Chief, or by the Brigadiers General 
commanding in the District, the Civil Govf in Council, & 
where no Council shall subsist, the Civil Govf may, for the 
Benefit of His Government, give Orders for the Marching 
of Troops, the Disposition of Them, for making & marching 
Detachments, Escorts, & such purely military Services within 
His Government, to the Commanding Officer of the Troops, 
who is to give the proper Orders for carrying the same into 
Execution, provided they are not contradictory to, or incom- 
patible with any Orders he may have received from the Com- 
mander in Chief or the Brigadier Gen! of the District, and the 
Commanding Officer is from time to time, duly to report, 
with all convenient Expedition, to the Commander in Chief, 
or to the Brigadier Gen| such orders which he shall have 
rec'd from the Civil Governor. 

That the Civil Govf of the Province shall give the Word 
in all Places, where he shall be within his Province, except 
when the Commander in Chief or Brigadier Gen' shall be 
in the Same Place. 

That the Return of the State & Condition of the Troops, 
Magazines & Fortifications shall be made to the Govf as well 
as to the Commandf in Chief & Brigadier Genl 

That the Civil Gov^ is not to interfere with the detail of 
the military Regimental Duty & Discipline, the Reports con- 
cerning which are to be made to the Commanding Officer who 
is to make his general Report to the Civil Governor. 

When the Commander in Chief or Brigadier Gen! shall be 
present, all military Orders are to be issued by them only. 



APPENDIX I 227 

LORD HALIFAX TO GOVERNOR BERNARD » 

Circular 

Duplicate Sf James's 9*?" Feb?' 1765 

Sir, 

Misunderstandings having arisen between the Civil Gov- 
nors, & the Commanding Officers of the Troops stationed in 
some of His Majesty's Colonies, concerning the Intent and 
Meaning of the Powers respectively vested in Them, with 
Respect to the General Command and Disposition of the 
Troops within such Colonies; His Majesty, for the more 
effectual Prevention of Such Misunderstandings in future, 
has been pleased to declare His Intentions in that Behalf, 
by some explanatory Orders, of which I herewith transmit to 
You a Copy, that You may govern Yourself accordingly. 
I am with great Truth & Regard 
Sir 
Your most obedient 
humble Servant. 
Dunk Halifax 
Francis Bernard Esq: Governor of Massachusetts Bay. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO MAJOR GENERAL GAGE 2 

Castle William, Aug* 27, 1765. 
Sir, 

I doubt not but you wiU have an account of the riots at 
Boston, upon the business of the Stamp Act before this comes 
to hand. The Mob was so general & so supported, that all 
civil Power ceased in an instant, & I had not the least au- 
thority to oppose or quiet the Mob. You are sensible how 

'"Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 270. 
^Ibid., vol. iv (Letter Book), p. 62. 



228 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

extreamly weak an American Governor is in regard to popular 
tumults, without a file of Men at his Command, & having 
no regular troops, at present, within call. In this state, I 
could look only towards you : and I was assured that you 
had but two Companies with you, and those I conceived 
could not be properly moved from their Present Station for 
obvious reasons. I therefore listened to flattering hopes 
that these Troubles might subside of themselves, & that 
temporary Quiet might take place till we could hear from 
England. But in this I have been deceived : for the fury 
of the Mob is grown more extravagant than ever. Last 
Night they destroyed & rifled the \} Gov""^ House from Top 
to Bottom ; all his Cash, Papers, furniture, Cloaths, &c, are 
carried off, & wasted & burned ; They served M"^ Hoflowell's, 
Comptroller of the Customs, after the same manner ; also 
M"^ Story, the Register of the Admiralty's House, all whose 
Papers & Books, among which were all the records of the 
records of the Admiralty, were burnt before his door. An- 
other House, M' Paxtons, was intended for ruin ; but begged 
off by the Landlord of the House. My House was not at- 
tacked at all ; which I wondered at : for the other Persons 
having offended them only by being in Ofl&ce under the King, 
I should have thought, that I should have been reckoned 
the most offencive. More mischief is daily expected : Where 
it will end no body knows. In short. The Town of Boston 
is in the Possession of an incensed & implacable Mob ; I 
have no force to oppose to them ; I know not whether I shall 
be able to preserve this Castle, which is threatned to be 
attacked, if the stamped Papers from England should be, 
as is designed, placed here. The Garrison, when compleat, 
amounts but to 60 men; & I dare not reinforce them out 
of the Country, for fear it should be the Means of betraying 



APPENDIX I 229 

the place. Under these difl&culties, I have nothing to do, 

but to apply to you, as his Majesty's Military Commander 

in chief ; & I can only recommend to you to use such means 

as you shall think proper to preserve his Majestys Dominion 

over this Town. I am going to Cambridge to hold a Council 

there, & consider what is to be done upon this occasion ; one 

Measure must be to remove the Government to a place of 

Security, & there call the Assembly, who, I doubt not, will 

testify their Abhorrence of these rebellious Proceedings. 

I am, with great regard, g° &c. 
Gen' Gage. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO MAJOR GENERAL GAGE^ 

Boston Aug: 29 1765 
S' 

I herewith send you two Proclamations which will in some 

Measure show the Particulars of two very outragious riots 

at Boston. I also send you the Resolution of Council to 

a Question I put to them after a second riot : as they are of 

Opinion that there is no Occasion for the Assistance of the 

Kings Troops, I cannot ask for them ; nor can I with Safety 

declare my own thoughts on this Occasion. The Town has 

been kept quiet for two Nights Past by Parties of Militia, in 

which the commanding Officers, to do them Justice, have 

been very active. So that I hope that Peace will be restored 

by internal Means only ; but I cant be answerable for it. 

The Council have desired me to cause the Stampt-paper 

when it arrives to be lodged in the Castle to prevent its being 

destroyed: and it is said among the People that the Castle 

shall not Protect the Stampt-paper ; for they are determined 

to take it from thence. The Garrison at the Castle consists 

* "Bernard Papers," vol. iv (Letter Book), p. 66. 



230 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

of 60 Men ; and I am going with advice of Council to raise 

a Company of 60 More to reinforce it. I hope this will be 

sufficient to defend the Castle ; but can't be answerable for it, 

as I know not how it will be attacked. If the Assailants are 

numerous and desperate they must take it ; for the outworks 

must be left undefended : but I hope they will not arrive to 

that Pitch of desperation. As M'' Miller is here, I intend to 

appoint him Lieutenant of the new Company. If I have 

your Leave : he has wrote to the Commanding Officer of his 

Regiment, but has not yet heard of his Resignation being 

accepted. t o 

^ I am &c 

His Ex : Major 
General Gage 

MAJOR GENERAL GAGE TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

New: YORK Sep' 6*-^ 1765. 
Sir, 

I had yesterday Evening the honor of your Letter of the 
29*^!* of August Inclosing the Resolution of your Council 
Board and two Proclamations which you have published. I 
wish the latter may have a proper Effect, but as none of the 
DeHnquents have been apprehended and prosecuted I pre- 
sume it is not practicable to do it ; for it is not possible that 
they should be unknown. You will receive this by my Aid 
de Camp Cap* Sheriffe, by whom you may safely write what 
you think proper. The Troops are so scattered over the 
Continent, that I would not be able to collect any consider- 
able Body to join you under Months; and that by almost 
deserting the Posts in the upper Country. The nearest Place 
from whence any Military Force could be sent you is Halifax, 
and if you shall from your Situation, think it right and Ex- 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 284. 



APPENDIX I 231 

pedient that any Assisstance should be sent you from thence, 
you will make use of the inclosed Letter to Lieu*: Col? Con- 
ingham ; who is ordered to throw a Detachment of 100 Men 
of the 29*^^ Reg^ and 12 Artillerists into Castle William. 
This Number with the two Companys of 60 Men each, which 
you will have there, may be sufiScient for defending that 
Fortress against any thing that can attack it. The Troops are 
as much Scattered over Nova : Scotia as the other Provinces, 
and the only Place I can immediately detach from, is Halifax, 
which place will be extreamly weakned; and I propose to 
reinforce it after this Draught of 100 Men, by a Company of 
the 59*^*" Reg* from Louisbourg and another from S* John's 
Island. Lord Colvile may send the Troops in some of the 
ships of War, which will be a further Protection to the Fort, 
and I think there is no Doubt of His Lordship's doing it, when 
you convince him of your Situation. I write to His Lordship, 
which Letter I inclose under a flying Seal for your Perusal, 
as I do all the orders Sent herewith, and you will forward 
the whole or not as you Judge best. That no Person might 
have any Suspicion of your sending a writing purposely to 
Hahfax I have prevailed on Cap^ Wallace of the Tryal sloop 
of War who sails this Day for Hahfax, to call at Boston un- 
designedly, in his way, so that you may dispatch him with 
any Letters you please. By the Description I have had of 
Castle WilUam, I think with the Garrison proposed, and the 
ships of war nothing effectual could be brought against it. 
And I may hereafter when I shall hear fully from you ; and 
that you think it necessary, reinforce that Place considerably. 
You will consider how the Castle is provided with Military 
stores and Artillery, how the Garrison can be best Supplied 
with Provisions, after what they carry with them shall be 
expended and how the Troops are lodged, and that they have 



232 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

a sufi&ciency of Fuel, not to be in Danger of going away thr'o 
want or being cutt of in search of those Articles. You will 
acquaint me if you are in want of an Engineer, one shall be 
sent you, if you are. If I get hold of Castle William, I will 
engage to keep it fast as long as shall be necessary. You 
will think of the orders proper to be given to the Cap^ of 
the 29^** Reg*; to whom you will no Doubt give the Command 
of the Castle. He will have orders to obey your Commands 
in general, but you may possibly be in such Circumstances 
as to be obliged to give orders, which you would wish should 
not be obeyed. Of this you will give me your opinion, and I will 
furnish the Captain with such specifick Orders from me, that 
nothing which you shall do from forceable Methods shall be 
obeyed, viz* To deliver the Castle into the Hands of no 
Persons whatever, but defend it to the last, not to deliver 
anything deposited in it, even by your orders, etc. From 
the Terms of your Letter, these Precautions may be necessary, 
you will take Care that the Troops shall have admission into 
the Castle when they arrive; as MF Miller seems to be a Person 
in whom you have Confidence, you may contrive Matters with 
him, so that he may command there at the Time they do arrive, 
or use any other proper Method which you shall Judge the best. 
I am with great Regards, 
Sir, 
If you can find a more 

expeditious Method to convey Your most obedient, 

the Letters to Halifax, you will do it humble Servant, 
of Course, without waiting for the Tryal ^^^ Gage 
sloop for it seems to me that no Time should 
be lost 

T:G: 
His Ex^y GovF Bernard 



APPENDIX I 233 

MAJOR GENERAL GAGE TO LIEUTENANT CONINGHAME* 

New-york Sep*. 6^'' 1765. 
Sir, 

You will please with all speed to embark a Detachment of 
the 29'^ Regiment consisting of one Captain, three Subal- 
terns, four Serjeants one Drum, and one Hundred Men Rank 
and File and you will keep their Destination, which will be 
explained to you, as secret as you can, not letting the Captain 
receive his orders till the moment he sails. You will consult 
only with Lord Colville or officer Commanding His Majesty's 
Squadron, to whom you will apply, for to put the Detachment 
on Board some of the ships of War, which I am to imagine 
will accompany the Detachment to the Place of their Destina- 
tion, and you will supply the said Detachment with three months 
Provisions at least. I write to Lord Colville by this Oppor- 
tunity, who I make no Doubt will give all Assistance in his 
Power, and as the voyage is short, will make no objection to 
crowding the ships for a short Time. You will order the 
Captain to proceed to the Harbour of Boston, and find means 
as well as he can, to throw his Detachment into Castle- William, 
of which Fort he will take the Command and acquaint the 
Governor as soon as he can of his arrival there, to garrison 
that Fortress by my Order. The Provincial Forces, consist- 
ing of two Compy^ of 60 Men each which he will find in the 
Castle, will neither oppose his landing, or Entrance into the 
Castle, and will remain under his Command for the better 
Security and Protection of it. The Captain will obey such 
orders as GovT Bernard shall give him, except perhaps in 

' "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 288. This letter is indexed 
as from General Gage to Governor Bernard, but is to Lieutenant Coninghame 
as shown by the superscription, and is of interest in connection with the pre- 
ceding letter. 



234 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

some Cases, wherein I shall Judge expedient to send him 
Specifick Orders from myself; of which he will have Notice 
hereafter. 

As the Garrison of Halifax will be greatly reduced by the 
sending away this Detachment, I transmit you orders for 
LieuJ Colonel Pringle to send you a Company of the S9^^ 
Reg*^ from Louisbourg, and likewise for the Officer Commanding 
at S* John's Island, to send you a Company from Fort: 
Amherst, and you will take up a proper Number of Vessels 
to send to those Places to answer the Purpose of transporting 
them to Halifax. 

I am, Sir, 
P : S : Your most obedient 

You will please to send with humble Servant, 

the Detachment, 12 Men of the Royal Tho? Gage 

Reg- of Artillery, a proper Proportion of 
Gunners & Matrosses. 

T: G: 
Lieu*^ Coninghame 29^*^ Reg* 

MAJOR GENERAL GAGE TO LORD COLVILLE^ 

New YORK Sep' 6'''- 1765 . 
My Lord, 

You will hear from Gov° Bernard the present distracted 
state of his Province ; The Tumults, Riots and Robberies that 
have been committed in the City of Boston ; the Threats 
of the Populace even to attack Castle WilHam in Case the 
stamps are deposited there, and that the Governor can not 

1 First written "Lieu* Colo" 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 2^. This is indexed as 
from General Thomas Gage to Governor Bernard, but it is to Lord Colville, as 
plainly shown by the superscription. 



APPENDIX I 23s 

with Safety declare his thoughts upon the Expediency of 
applying to you or me for Assisstance. The only timely aid 
that I can give him, is by detaching one Hundred Men from 
the Garrison of Halifax to throw themselves into Castle- 
William ; the only Retreat the Governor can have should he be 
drove from his Capital, which is not at all unlikely; the 
Lieu' GovF haveing been already very barbarously used, his 
House demohshed, plundered and robbed of every thing in it. 
By this opportunity I send orders to Lieutenant Colonel 
Coninghame to embark one Hundred Men, with as much 
Expedition, and Secrecy as to their Destination as possible ; and 
if your Lordship should judge proper to embark them on Board 
any of the ships of War under your Command, with orders 
for them the ships, to remain in the Harbour of Boston; 
the Detachment may be thrown into Castle William, and 
every thing so secured, that the whole Force of the Province 
can not avail to do any hurt. What Situation they are in at 
present, I can't say, or what Turn Affairs may have taken 
since the late Lawless and Riotous Proceedings. But if Matters 
are in such a state, as to make it proper and expedient for His 
Majesty's service, that your Lordship and myself should act 
in the manner proposed to you. This Letter will be forwarded 
to you from Boston. The more secrecy and Dispatch there 
is used in this Business, the better it will be. 

I have the honor to be with great Regard & Esteem, 
My Lord, 

Your Lordship's, 
Most obedient, 
Right Hon''!* Lord Colville and most humble Servant 

Tho» Gage 



236 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 
GOVERNOR BERNARD TO MAJOR GENERAL GAGE^ 

Boston Sep"" 12. 1765 

The Concern you have shown for the peace of this Town by 
sending Cap- Sheriff to enquire into the state of it deserves 
my best acknowledgements. At present there is a consider- 
able alteration in the humours of the people ; and tho as the 
cause of the late commotions is not removed, We may expect 
that it will some time or other produce Similar Effects ; Yet 
as the Town at present is in a tolerable state of tranquillity, 
I am will to try the utmost to improve it to good purpose: 
and the more so, as I have appointed the Assembly to sit at 
this Town in a fortnights time, I am very desirous that it may 
by kept in quiet, untill that time. Indeed the Power & Au- 
thority of Government is really at an end : but I am willing to 
content my self with the form of it, in hopes that in time the 
peoples Eyes may be opened & their passions subside before 
the application of external force shall become necessary. 

For this purpose I have consented to the earnest & unani- 
mous desire that I'd countermand the orders for raising 
men to reinforce the garrison of the Castle : for which the 
following reasons have been given. 

I That the people appear to be very differently disposed now 
than they were when the raising the men was advised ; 
there not appearing to be any intention to destroy the stamps 
or attack the castle at present, the dangerous consequences of 
such attempts being more apparent now. 2 That this Measure 
has created ^ great uneasiness in the people they being very 
Jealous of the introduction of new forces of any kind ; and 

^"Bernard Papers," vol. iv (Letter Book), p. 69. 

^ First written "occasioned," then changed to "created." 



APPENDIX I 237 

if this uneasiness should so increase as to be active, it might 
occasion more dangers to the Castle than the reinforcement 
would counterballance. 3. That as it is now known that the 
stamps probably will not arrive 'till the Assembly is sitting, 
it will be best to leave to them to provide for their security ; 
otherwise they may take umbrage at seeing forces raised with- 
out their Authority for a Service which has not commenced 
at the time of their sitting; and thereby a dissention might 
be introduced to the General Court at a time when unanimity 
is most needfull. This last reason has great weight with me : 
for I desire nothing more than to charge the Assembly with 
the Defence of the Stamps; for then the province becomes 
formally answerable for them, and if the people should destroy 
them they must pay for them. 

These reasons also conclude against the introducing regular 
troops at this time : to which may be added one other very 
Material. The introducing a single Company to the Castle 
would certainly be made use of to inflame the Assembly; 
& I am particularly desirous that they should be as cool as 
may be. I have no general dependence upon my being able 
to prevail upon the Assembly to counterwork the passions of 
the people. I am assured & I believe that I shall not. But 
I shall be glad to have fair play & a clear stage, that my 
endeavours for that purpose may be effectual as possible to 
do without, troops should not be sent here 'till there are suffi- 
cient numbers of them. A small force would irritate the people 
& not protect the Government. As I am now in all appearance 
safe in Boston, & I shall soon be able to charge the Assembly with 
the care of the stamps, I hope I shall be able to hold out, untill 
orders come from England, which probably will be accompanied 
with forces. For I cant think that so Violent an opposition 
to an act of parliament can fail of meeting with general resent- 



238 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

ment there. For these reasons, I shall not at present forward 
the orders which you have favoured me with, but I shall 
write to Lord Colville by the tryal, & give him an account 
of the present state of the Town & my own situation, with 
advice of the letters you have favoured me with my reasons 
for not making use of them now. 

I have been obliged by my engagements in making up 
dispatches for a ship which sailed for England yesterday to 
detain Cap* Sherrif to this day, which I have less scrupled to 
do, as no particular expedition is required. As for the Castle 
he will give you some information of it & will inform you 
how you will receive a more particular Account. 

I am. with great regard 
His Excellency Maj' General Gage /S' your most obedient 

/ &c &c 

CHARLES LOWNDES TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Sir, 

I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's 
Treasury to Signify to your Excellency their desire that you 
will give your Aid and Assistance to the Distributor of Stamps 
within your Government in whatever may relate to his Duty in 
the execution of his Office under the Act passed in the last 
Session of Parliament and that your Excellency would be 
particular in Seeing that the Chief Distributor do Appoint 
under Distributors in every proper Town and place within 
your Government and that each of the said under Distributors 
be well Supplyed with Stamps for all Demands And that Your 
Excellency would be very attentive to the detection of any 

» "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 300. Charles Lowndes was 
Joint Secretary of the Lords of the Treasury. 



APPENDIX I 239 

frauds which may arise in this Branch of His Majesty's 
Revenues And in case it shall have happen'd that any chief 
Distributor residing in your Governments hath not given 
Security for the due Execution of his Office That Your Excel- 
lency will take care that he do forthwith execute his Bond 
for the same which Bond when executed Your Excellency is 
desired to return to the Stamp Office. My Lords so much 
depend upon your Attention to the Public Service that they 
cannot doubt of Receiving Information from your Excellency 
in case any remissness in the Execution of the Ofl&ce of the 
Chief Distributor within your Government or other Mis- 
managements or Abuses whatsoever shall Appear to you 

Treasury Chambers, I Am 

Sept: 14: 1765. your Excellency's most obedient 

humble Servant. 

Cha Lowndes 

Francis Bernard Esq' Governor of Massachusets Bay. 

GREY COOPER TO GOVERNOR BERNARD ^ 

Sir, 

The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury 
having read several Letters from M"; Oliver, late Distributor of 
Stamps at Boston in Massachuset's Bay, giving an Account 
of great Outrages committed by the People of Boston, on the 
14*^ IS*!" and 26^ of August last; and signifying that he 
had been obliged to resign His Office of Distributor of Stamps 
and Expressing His Apprehensions that the Stamp Paper 
would be in danger of being Seized by the Populace, upon the 
Arrival of the Ship, which carried it to Boston; are pleased 

• "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 304. Grey Cooper was one 
of the Joint Secretaries of the Lords of the Treasury. 



240 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

to direct Your Excellency to see that the Stamps be duly 
distributed until a Distributor be appointed by My Lords; 
and Their Lordships recommend it to you, and, by your 
Mediation, to the several Magistrates in your Excellency's 
Government, to exert yourselves with Spirit, and Firmness, 
in order to inforce a due obedience to the Laws, and to take 
care that His Majesty's Revenue suffers no Detriment 
or Diminution. 

I am, 
Treasury Chambers. 

Octf : 8^*^ 1765. Your Excellency's 

Most humble Servant, 
Grey Cooper. 
His Ex^^?" Francis Bernard Govf of Massachusets Bay. 

H. S. CONWAY TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 1 

S* James's,^ October 24^'' 1765. 
Sir, 

Your Letters of the 15'^ 16^'^ 22"? & 31^ of August have 
been received ; the three former not till yesterday. 

It is with the greatest Concern His Majesty learns the 
Disturbances, which have lately arisen in your Province ; the 
general Confusion that seems to reign there; and the total 
Languor, and Want of Energy in your Government to exert 
itself with any Dignity or Efficacy for the Suppression of 
Tumults, which seem to strike at the very Being of all Author- 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 318. This letter is printed 
in Almon's Prior Documents (p. 40) and is very nearly like the manuscript ; 
the few differences are noted. Belsham {Memoirs of the Reign of George III, 
ed. 1808, vol. ii, 421) gives the circular letter to the governors of the several 
provinces which is substantially the same as this to Governor Bernaxd. Conway 
was one of the Principal Secretaries of State. 

^"St. James's" is omitted in Prior Docume^tts. 



APPENDIX I 241 

ity and Subordination amongst You. His Majesty cannot 
but with the greatest Surprise hear of the Refusal of your 
council to call for the Aid of any regular Force to the Support 
of the Civil Magistracy, at a time when it seems You had 
Reason to think there was no other Power capable of providing 
for the Peace and Quiet of the Province. Nothing can cer- 
tainly exceed the ill-advised and intemperate Conduct held by 
a Party in your Province, which can in no way contribute 
to the Removal of any real Grievance They might labour 
under, but may tend to obstruct and impede the Exertion of 
His Majesty's benevolent Attention to the Ease and Comfort, 
as well as the Welfare of all his People. 

It is hoped, and expected, that this Want of Confidence 
in the Justice and Tenderness of the Mother Country, and 
this open Resistance to it's Authority, can only have found 
Place among the lower and more ignorant of the People ; The 
better and wiser Part ^ of the Colonies will know, that Decency 
and Submission may prevail, not only to redress Grievances, 
but to obtain Grace and Favour; while the Outrage of a 
publick Violence can expect Nothing but Severity & Chastise- 
ment. These Sentiments You and all His Majesty's Servants, 
from a Sense of your Duty to, and Love of your Country, will 
endeavour to excite and encourage. You will all, in a particu- 
lar manner, call upon them, not to render their case desper- 
ate. You will, in the the strongest Colours, represent to 
them the dreadful Consequences, that must inevitably attend 
the forcible and violent Resistance to Acts of the British 
Parliament, and the Scene of Misery and Distraction to both 
Countries, inseparable from such a Conduct. 

If, by lenient & persuasive Methods, You can contribute 
to restore that Peace and Tranquility to the Provinces, on 

^ This reads " and more wise part " in Prior Documents. 



242 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

which their Welfare and Happiness depend, You will do a 
most acceptable and essential Service to your Country: 
But, having taken every Step, which the utmost Prudence 
and Lenity can dictate, in Compassion to the Folly and 
Ignorance of some misguided People, You will not, on the 
other hand, fail to use your utmost Power for repelling all 
Acts of Outrage, and Violence, and to provide for the Main- 
tenance of Peace and good order in the Province, by such a 
timely Exertion of Force, as the Occasion may require ; for 
which Purpose You will make the proper Applications to 
General Gage, or Lord Colville, Commanders of His Majesty's 
Land & Naval Forces in America. For, however unwillingly 
His Majesty may consent to the Exertion of such Powers as 
may endanger the Safety of a single Subject, yet can He 
not permit his own Dignity, and the Authority of the British 
Legislature, to be trampled on by Force and Violence, and in 
avowed Contempt of all Order, Duty, and Decorum. 

If the Subject is aggrieved, he knows in what manner 
legally and constitutionally to apply for Relief ; but it is not 
suitable either to the Safety or Dignity of the British Empire, 
that any Individuals, under the Pretence of redressing Griev- 
ances, should presume to violate the Publick Peace. 
I am,^ with great Truth and Regard, 
Sir, 

Your most obedient 
humble Servant 
P. S. H. S. Conway 

The Sloop, which 
carries this, will carry 
Orders to Lord Colville, 

1 The rest omitted in Prior Documents, which reads " I am &c 

H. S. Conway." 



APPENDIX I 243 

and to the Governor of 
Nova Scotia, to send to 
Your Assistance any Force, 
which may be thought necessary 
from thence, and which that 
Province can supply. 
The Favour of your Letter of the 
'j^y September is just received.^ 
Governor Bernard. 

H. S. CONWAY TO GOVERNOR BERNARD 2 

Circular. 

S^ James's March i^* 1766. 
Sir, 

I am very sorry not to be able as yet to give You any Instruc- 
tion for the Rule of your Conduct in the perplexed Situation of 
Things in the Colonies ; But the Parliament, to whose Wisdom 
His Majesty has been pleased to refer those affairs, not 
having come to any ultimate Decision thereon, I may not 
presume to give You any positive Direction : at the same time 
It is, I think, my Duty to inform You, — that a Bill is brought 
in, and has made some Progress in the House of Commons, 
for the Repeal of the Stamp Act; and that other Proceedings, 
relative to the mutual Rights of Great Britain and her Colonies, 
are also in consideration before Parliament. As soon as ever 
any Thing is ultimately determined by the Legislature, You 
may depend upon the speediest Information from me; and 
will not fail to receive therewith His Majesty's farther Instruc- 
tions. In the mean time. The King relies on your Discretion 
to take the properest Measures, that the Circumstances of 

^ This last sentence is omitted in Prior Documents. 
2 "Bernard Papers," vol. x (Correspondence), p. 336. 



244 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

the Times may require, for the Good of the Colony committed 
to your Care. 

I am, with great Truth and Regard, 
Sir, 

Your most obedient 
humble Servant 
Governor of Massachuset's Bay./ H. S. Conway 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO ^ 



Boston July 3 1766 
S^ 

The Important Concerns in which I am now employed ^ 
will not allow me to attend to the little altercations which 
you seem so desirous to engage me in. When I shall have 
some^ leisure I shall be Very glad for my own sake to write 
upon ^ your subject not only on the present Case, but on the 
other ways & means ^ which you have employed ^ to em- 
barrass my Administration. In the Mean time you may 
represent "^ what you please against me if you do it with 
truth : for which purpose in the present case you will be 
much assisted by the Advice in writing which I gave to M"^ 
Savage,^ which, no doubt he did,^ as he said he would, com- 
municate to you. 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. v (Letter Book), p. i8i. This was probably written 
to John Temple, Surveyor of the Customs for the Northern District with whom 
Bernard was in open war. 

2 First written "engaged in," then changed to "attending to" and then to 
"employed." 

3 First written "a little." 

* First written "glad to attend to your," then changed to "glad for my own 
sake to write upon your." 

* Followed by "with," then crossed out. ^ First written "endeavour'd." 
^ Followed by "me as you," then changed to "what you please against me." 

* Followed by "I am so far from," then crossed out. ^ First written "has." 



APPENDIX I 245 

Whenever you shall think proper to order the officers of the 
Customs to act in the prosecution or dismission of Goods 
seized by them ^ without or contrary to the Opinion of the 
Governor & the Advice of the Kings Advocate, I think they 
ought to have their orders in writing. 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO LORD HARRINGTON 2 

Boston Jan 28 1768. 
My Lord 

I understand that it is a prevailing Opinion on your side 
of the Ocean that America, if let alone will come to herself & 
return to the same Sense of Duty & obedience to Great Britain 
which she professed before. But It seems to me that observ- 
ing & considerate Men on this side the water expect no such 
thing. If indeed the 111 temper of the Americans had arose 
from accidental Causes, & exercised itself without meddling 
with fundamental principles, the Cause ceasing the effects 
might also cease ; & the subject of complaint being removed, 
a perfect & durable conciliation might be restored. 

But when the Dispute has been carried so far as to ^ in- 
volve in it ^ matters of the highest importance to the imperial 
Sovreignty, when it has produced questions which the Sov- 
reign state cannot give up, & the dependent states insist 
upon as the terms of a reconciliation ; when the imperial 
state has so far given way as to flatter the dependent states 

1 Followed by "contrary," then crossed out. 

2 "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 127. This letter is printed 
in Bernard's Select Letters on the Trade and Government of America (London, 
1774), P- 53- The letter as found in Select Letters is substantially like this second 
draft, but quite dififerent from the first ; see above, p. 131. 

* Followed by "take," then crossed off. 

* Followed by "question," then crossed off. 



246 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

that their pretensions are admissible ; Whatever terms of 
reconciliation Time Accident or Design may^ produce, if 
they are ^ deficient in settling the true relation of ^ great 
Britain to ^ her Colonies, & ascertaining the bounds of the 
Sovreignty of the one & the dependency of the other, Con- 
ciliation will be no more than a Suspension of Animosity; 
the seeds of which will be left in the ground ready to start 
up again whenever there shall be a new occasion for the 
Americans to assert their independence of ^ the Authority of 
parliament; that is whenever the parliament shall make 
ordinances which the Americans shall think not for their 
intrest to obey. 

It was easy to be foreseen that the distinctions used in 
parliament in favour of the Americans would be adopted by 
them & received as fundamental laws. It would signify 
nothing by what numbers these distinctions were rejected : 
the respectableness of the Names of the promoters of them, 
& the apparent intrest of y^ Americans in maintaining them 
would outweigh all authority of Numbers for the contrary 
Opinion. It was also to be foreseen that the Americans 
would carry these distinctions much farther than the pro- 
moters could possibly intend they should be. But yet they ® 
never gave me any concern ; because they carried their remedy 
with them : if they were hurtful to the constitution, 
they '^ had an antidote at hand and like the antient 
Spear, if they wounded the Sovreign state they produced a 
rust to cure it. If the parliament cant tax the Americans 

' First written "shall." ^ First written "have." 

' First written "between." ^ First written "&." 

^ At first "pretensions against," then changed to "independence of." 
'At first "these distinctions," then changed to "they." 
^ At first followed by "carried their remedy with them," then changed to 
"had an antidote at hand and." 



APPENDIX I 247 

because they are not represented, it may allow them repre- 
sentatives, & the Authority is compleat. 

I have been used & allways ^ disposed to set an high ^ 
value upon the Wisdom of Statesmen perhaps sometimes 
higher than it may ^ deserve ; and I am still desirous rather 
to err on that side than the opposite. When ^ the great Man 
of ^ whose political Abilities I then had & still have the highest 
reverence, founded his^ impeachment of the power of par- 
liament to tax the Americans upon the Want of American 
representatives, It appeared to me to be a stroke of refined 
policy. I considered this difficulty to be started, in order to 
enforce the necessity of allowing the Americans to send 
representatives to parliament. I considered not only the 
Advantages which would arise from such an ordinance for 
the present by removing all objections to the power of par- 
liament ; but also the benefit which must arise for the future 
by ^ incorporating America with Great Britain in an Union 
which must more effectually prevent a Separation than can be 
provided ® by any other means. If this Objection had been pur- 
sued to this conclusion. The Author of it would have been de- 
servedly esteemed the benefactor of both Countries. Without 
this conclusion It is not easy to See how ^ this Contravention 
of the Authority of parliament can be of service to either. 

Let us state the positions urged in parliament on the behalf 

1 At first "am still," then changed to "allways." ^ At first "higher." 

'At first "they perhaps," then changed to "it may." 

^ The text, beginning with this sentence and going through the paragraph, 
is printed in Mrs. Napier Higgins's Bernards of Abington, ii, 102. It is taken 
from Select Letters as it has the differences of that print. ^ First written " for." 

* At first "pronounced for the," then changed to "founded his." 

^ At first followed by "an Union of the two," then changed to "incorporating 
Americans," and finally to "incorporating America." 

' Followed by "against," then crossed off. 

'At first followed by "it can produce any good." 



248 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

of the Americans & the use which has been made of them in 
America, & see how far the chain of reasoning can be extended. 
It was said in pariiament, that i. The parHament has no 
right to tax the Americans, because the Americans have no 
representatives in parHament. 2. But they have a right to 
impose port duties or external taxes because such duties are 
for the regulation of trade. 3. The difference between an 
external and an internal tax is that the former is imposed 
for the regulation of trade & the latter for raising a Revenue. 
From these premisses the Americans have drawn the follow- 
ing conclusions, i . Port duties imposed for raising a Revenue 
are internal Taxes. 2. Port duties of which the produce is 
to be paid into the Exchequer for the use of Government are 
imposed for raising a revenue. 3. The produce of all the port 
duties imposed upon America is ordered to be paid into the 
Exchequer for the use of Government. 4 All the Port Duties 
imposed upon America are internal Taxes. The only differ- 
ence between the Port duties declared to be for raising a 
Revenue, & those of which no such declaration is made is 
that in one the Intention is explicit ; in the other it is imphed : 
they both come within the definition of internal taxes, & there 
are no taxes left for the distinction to operate upon. 

This is not a fictitious Argument but a real one now urged 
& insisted upon as the terms of a good agreement between 
great Britain & her Colonies. For proof of which I refer 
your Lordship to the Farmer's Letters, in which you ^ will 
find the whole of this argument laid down either positively 
or consequentially. What then shall be done ? shall the par- 
liament make a new declarative Act ? See ! here are counter- 
declarations to the former Act. shall they take no notice of 
these American pretensions? they will then be confirmed 
^ At first "your Lordship," then changed to "you." 



APPENDIX I 249 

in the minds of the Americans & become really, what they are 
now proclamed to be, a Bill of American rights. The right 
Way to get rid of these difficulties, which have arose out of 
the political dissentions at Westminster, is to allow the Ameri- 
cans to send representatives. This will be a full Answer to 
all their pretensions : it has been for some time past expedient ; 
it is now become necessary. 

In one of the news-papers inclosed with this is a Speech 
said to have been spoke in the house of Lords, which has 
been reprinted from a London pamphlet. The whole Argu- 
ment of this does not tend to show that the Americans ought 
not to be taxed, but that previously to their being taxed, they 
ought to be allowed to Send representatives. This has been 
extremely well received here, altho' the conclusion is for an 
American representation. If this was really a Speech of a 
Lord of that House, it might have been properly answered 
by admitting the conclusion and thereby avoiding a dispute 
about the premisses. If the Americans should be allowed 
representatives, it would become a Question merely Specu- 
lative, whether Representation is necessary to Taxation or 
not. 

And yet the Americans in general do not desire a repre- 
sentation, tho' the publications on their behalf all tend to 
that conclusion ; and Some of them seem calculated to force 
the parliament into that measure as the only one which will 
satisfy them.^ The truth is that tho' the Leaders of the 
People set out with a view of obtaining a representation & 
have never lost sight of it ; it has but lately occurred to the 
people in general that this may be a probable consequence 
of their denying the Authority of parliament. The former 
have had no objection to being representatives ; but the 

^ Followed by "pretensions," then crossed out. 



250 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

people have not as yet seen their intrest in Sending them. 
It is from this disposition in the demagogues, as well as from 
the support they received in parliament turning upon the 
same question, that the Americans have founded all their 
Arguments against the Authority of parliament on their 
want of representatives in it ; and a System for separating 
them from parliament is formed upon a proposition which 
it is in the power of the parliament at [blank space] pleasure 
to convert into the means of more closely uniting them with 
it. But the mutual intrest of the two Countries seems to be 
equally misunderstood on both sides of the Water. 

I will illustrate this Account of the Ideas of the Americans 
by fresh facts. At the opening of the present Session of the 
Assembly of this province, a Member who had distinguished 
himself by carrying the objections to the Authority of par- 
liament to their greatest length, now in a set speech retracted 
all his former Opinions, & said that he had fully informed 
himself of the relation between Great Britain & her Colonies, 
& was convinced that the power of parliament over her colonies 
was absolute, with this qualification, that they ought not 
to tax them untill they allowed them to send representatives ; & 
that if the Colonies had representatives the power of parlia- 
ment would be as perfect in America as it was in England. 
He then argued for an American Representation, & said it 
was now become a Measure necessary both to Great Britain 
& the Colonies, for the healing the breaches between them. 

This surprised the House : but their Eyes began to open. 
A Member on the Side of Government charged the oppo- 
sition with an intention to make an American Representa- 
tion necessary by their denying the authority of Acts of 
parliament over them because they were not represented. 
The proofs he adduced & the equivocal Answers of the other 



APPENDIX I 251 

party left little doubt of this. Upon this an old Member 
(whose name & Character is well known in England) said 
that as they were determined to have representatives, He 
begg'd leave to recommend to them a Merchant who would 
undertake to carry their representatives to England for half 
what they would sell for when they arrived there. 

It ^ has been a serious Objection that American represen- 
tatives would be subject to undue influence : but are not 
English representatives so ? & is that an argument ag^' having 
parliaments? Another is that the Colonies would not be 
able to maintain them. Both these, which contradict each 
other, would be easily answered : but the most intresting 
Objection, which is not avowed & therefore cannot receive a 
formal Answer, is that an American Representation will take 
away all pretences for disputing the Ordinances of parliament. 
The Admission of American representatives into parliament, 
will allow of the continuing the provincial Assemblies for the 
purposes of domestic CEconomy; & therefore no Objections 
have been drawn from the cessation of the inferior legisla- 
tures; the supposition of which would create infinite diffi- 
culties. 

Upon the whole, My Lord, if there was no Necessity for 
the appointment of American representatives (which I think 
there is & that very pressing) the Idea of it greatly enlarges 
my View of the Grandeur of the British Empire. And if 
there is any Danger of its falling to pieces, which surely can- 
not be too much guarded against, it seems to me that noth- 
ing could so effectually provide against so fatal an Event, 
as binding the Colonies to the Mother Country by an incor- 
porating Union, & giving them a share in the Sovreign legis- 
lature. If this was done there could [be] no dispute about^ 
1 First written "This." ^ pjjgt written "of," and then changed to "about." 



252 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

the rights & priviledges of Americans in contradistinction to 
those of Britons ; and an Opposition by force to the Govern- 
ment of Great Britain would have but one name. And then 
We might expect a longer Duration to the entire British 
Empire than desponding politicians are willing to promise at 
the present time, & in its present state. 

[not signed] 

UNKNOWN TO UNKNOWN » 

I have been of no small service to Gov^ Bernard, his public 
speech, & some other matters that had the appearance of 
giving way to the populace had like to have done him great 
injury, & so much, when he would have recovered I do not 
know. I did not urge his tarrying at Boston, if a better 
place could be provided for him, but wish^, by all means to 
continue him. It is doubted much his want of Spirit in 
conducting in these new measures. For God sake if he has 
a regard for himself let him take care how he errs too much 
on the side of the popular clamour, his ceeding to J Hancock 
& his answer to the town meeting was of no service to him. 
pray be as little communicative as possible about matters, 
send for Judge Auchmuty & advise with him in any case 
you have occasion. I know him to be a good Man let him 
know this ab* the Gov^ but no body else. I know more than 
I dare say — dated 31 July 68 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. xi (Correspondence), p. 253. 



APPENDIX I 253 

GOVERNOR BERNARD TO » 

Confidential 

Boston Dec 23 1768 
Dear Sir 

The Minds of Men in this Town and Country, are at pres- 
ent greatly agitated with the Expectation of what will be 
done at Westminster in Contravention of the late Proceed- 
ings at Boston. And those Persons who have Reason to 
expect a severe Censure from Great Britain do not appear 
to be so anxious for the Event, as the Friends and Well- 
wishers to the Authority of the Government and the real 
Wellfare of the Province are under the Apprehension that 
the Government of Great Britain may not take the full 
Advantage of what the late mad & wicked Proceedings of the 
Sons of 1^^ have put in their Hands. They say that 
the late wild Attempt to create a Revolt & take the Govern- 
ment of this Province out of the Kings into their own Hands 
affords so fair an Opportunity for the Supreme Power to 
reform the Constitution of this subordinate Government, to 
dispell the Faction which has harrast this Province for 3 
Years past, and to inflict a proper & not a severe Censure 
upon some of the Heads of it, that, if it is now neglected, they 
say it is not like soon perhaps ever to happen again. I hear 
so much of this from all the sensible Men I converse with, 
that tho' I had resolved not to write upon these delicate 
Subjects any further than my Answers to Letters should 
make it necessary, I cannot excuse myself giving you some 

1 "Bernard Papers," vol. vii (Letter Book), p. 239. There is no letter to 
Lord Barrington between Oct. 28, 1768, and Feb. 20, 1769; but, meanwhile, 
Governor Bernard wrote to some unknown person the above letter, which is 
so interesting in giving the situation at the moment that it is printed in full. 



254 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Hints of the reasonings used here upon this important and 
critical Occasion. 

It is said that the Town-Meeting, the Convention k the 
Refusal of the Justices to billet the Soldiers, severally point 
out & justify the means whereby i. the Disturbers of the 
Peace of the Government may be properly censured; 2, the 
Magistracy of the Town reformed ; & 3 the Constitution of 
the Government amended : all of them most desirable Ends, 
& some of them quite necessary to the Restoration of the 
Kings Authority. I will consider these separately. 

I The Town-Meeting which appointed the Convention un- 
doubtedly intended thereby to bring about a Revolt. Not 
only the frequent Declarations previous to that Meeting 
that they would resume the Government, but the very pro- 
ceedings of the Meeting, as published by themselves plainly 
evidence that that was the Intention : the colouring flung 
over it is seen thro' by the dullest Eye. It is now known 
that the Plan was to seize the Governor & Lieut Gov*", and 
take Possession of the Treasury and then set up their Stand- 
ard. This was disappointed by the Failure of the Con- 
vention ; the Members of which having Lands & Tenements 
to forfeit could not be so indifferent about the Consequences 
of such a Measure, as the Proposers of it who have little or 
Nothing to lose. But shall so open & notorious an Attempt 
to raise a Rebellion remain unpunished because it was un- 
successful ? and if it should, would it not give encouragement 
to another Attempt which might have Success? Some 
Punishment is surely due; and it would be very gentle, if 
it should be what has been talked of here : that the principal 
Persons concerned in calling the Convention should be dis- 
qualified by Act of Parliament from setting in the Assembly 
or holding any Place of Office during his Majesty's Pleasure. 



APPENDIX I 25s 

This would not only contribute greatly to restore Peace & 
Order to this Government, but by the Example, would tend 
to preserve them in other Governments. Happily the Per- 
sons concerned in this Business would form a complete List 
for such a Censure which would stand as follows. 

Moderator of the Town Meeting. Ja^ Otis jun' Esq*^ 



Select Men who signed the circular 
Letters 



Joseph Jackson Esq' 
John Ruddock Esq 
John Hancock Esq' 
John Rowe Esq' 
Samuel Pemberton Esq' 



Wilham Cooper Gent — 



Town Clerk who prepared & cir- 
culated the Letters 
Speaker of the Convention. Thomas Gushing Esq' 

Clerk of the Convention Samuel Adams Gent'— 



The giving these Men a Check which would make them 
less capable of doing more Mischeif would really be salutary 
to themselves as well as advantageous to the Government. 

2. The reforming the Magistracy of the Town, that is the 
Commission of the Peace would be of great Service at this 
Time. There is among them several of the Supporters of 
the Sons of Liberty; and the Refusal of several of them to 
carry into Execution the Act for quartering the Soldiers 
given under their own Hands, would justify a Removal of 
them from their Office. Perhaps it might be better to dis- 
solve the whole Commission. But this cant be done by the 
King alone, for if he was to send an Order to the Governor 
to revoke the present Commission & appoint another, the 
Council in their present Humour would not obey it. Whereas 
as this Censure arises from the Contempt of an Act of Parlia- 



256 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

ment, It would be most properly inflicted by the Parliament 
itself, which at the same Time it censures the Contempt of 
its Authority, makes a Precedent of the Exercise of it. If 
therefore an Act of Parliament was to pass reciting the Re- 
fusal of the Justices at Boston to quarter the Soldiers & there- 
fore enacting that all Commissions of the Peace within the 
County of Suffolk in the Province of Mass^^ Bay should be 
determined on a certain Day, it would be doing no more than 
the King alone can do in any of his royal Governments, with- 
out assigning any Cause for it. This Act & an Instruction 
to the Governor concerning the new Appointments would be 
of great Service to the Restoration of the Government ; Some 
are for carrying this remedial Measure to all the Commissions 
of all Kinds in the Government : & it may be wanted if there 
is no Alteration in the Appointment of the Council. 

3. The last Point is of great Importance : The Amendment 
of the Form of the Government, particularly with Regard to 
the Appointment of the Council is a most desirable Object; 
and if one was to say quite necessary to the Restoration & 
firm Establishment of the Authority of the Crown it would 
not be saying too much. It may be therefore well wished 
that the Meeting of the Convention and the Council's sepa- 
rating from the Governor may be made subservient to the 
Purpose of amending the Govermnent in a necessary Article. 
The Question will be whether the Meeting of the Convention 
& the Council's acting as a separate Body from the Governor 
amount to a Forfeiture of the Charter. As a Member of 
the Community I must doubt about it ; but if I was a Stranger 
to it, I should have no Doubt at all : An Englishman would 
argue thus : If a Corporation shall usurp the Rights, which 
the King upon granting their Charter expressly reserved to 
himself they will thereby break the Conditions upon which 



APPENDIX I 257 

their Charter was granted and thereby incur a Forfeiture of 
it. Now in the Charter of Mass*® Bay it is expressly ordered 
that the Governor shall have Authority to assemble & call 
together the Councellors or Assistants (who are appointed 
to advise & assist the Governor) & with them or any seven 
of them to hold a Council for the ordering & directing the 
Affairs of the Province ; and the Governor is also empowered 
to convene the general Courts or Assemblies & from Time 
to Time to adjourn prorogue or dissolve the same. And there 
is no Power or Authority granted to any other Person or Per- 
sons whatsoever to assemble the Council or convene the 
general Court or Assembly but to the Governor or the Lieut 
Governor, except where there shall be no Person commissioned 
by the King to be Governor within the Province. If there- 
fore the Council shall meet together as a Council without 
being assembled by the Governor ; if the People in general 
shall choose Representatives to meet in Assembly, without 
the Authority of the Governor ; and if such Representatives 
shall meet & do Business as in an Assembly even after they 
have been required by the Gk)vemor in the Kings Name to 
break up their Meeting & separate, it follows that there has 
been an Usurpation of the Rights reserved by the King to 
himself at the granting the Charter, by the People, in their 
Delegates (for so the Council by their Constitution may be 
properly called) in their Representatives, & in their aggre- 
gate Body ; and that the Conditions, upon which the Charter 
was granted have been broken, & thereby a general For- 
feiture of the Charter on the Part of the People, is incurred. 
If this should be true, (and I know not how to confute it) 
It will surely be great Grace & Favor in the King if he shall 
be pleased to take no other Advantage of this Forfeiture than 
to correct the Errors of the first Formation of this Govern- 



258 BARRINGTON-BERNAKD CORRESPONDENCE 

ment, & by placing the Appointment of the Council, where 
it ought to have been from the first, in the King, thereby 
render it more congenial with the Constitution of the Mother 
Country. It requires no Arguments to show that the inferior 
Governments of a free State should be as similar to that of 
the supreme State as can well be. And it is self-evident that 
the Excellency of the British Constitution consists in the 
equal Ballance of the regal and popular Powers. If so, 
where the royal Scale kicks the Beam & the People know 
their own superior Strength, the Authority of Government 
can never be steady & durable : it must either be perpetually 
distracted by Disputes with the Crown, or be quieted by 
giving up all real Power to the Demagogues of the People. 
Both these are greatly detrimental to the Community : the 
first obviously so ; the second is no less apparent to those 
who have had occasion to observe in a Neighbouring Colony 
how subject a democratical Government is to Corruption 
Disorder & Despotism. It is therefore not to be wondered 
at, that the most sensible Men of this Province see how 
necessary it is for the Peace & Order of this Government 
that the royal Scale should have its own Constitutional 
Weights restored to it & thereby be made much more equi- 
libral with the popular one. How this is to be done, whether 
by the Parliament or the Kings Bench, or by both, is a Ques- 
tion for the Administration to determine ; the Expediency of 
the Measure is out of Doubt ; and if the late Proceedings of 
the Convention &c amount to a Forfeiture, a Reformation of 
the Constitution of the Government, if it is insisted upon, 
must & will be assented to. 
I am S' 
Your most obedient 
& most humble Servant 



APPENDIX II 

PETITION OF GOVERNOR BERNARD TO THE KING FOR 

AN INCREASE OF SALARY i 

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty in Council ^ 

The humble petition ^ of Francis Bernard Esq'' 

Governor of his Majestys Province of 

Massachusets Bay most humbly sheweth. 
That your Majestys royal predecessors Queen Anne^ King 
George the first and Kjng George the second did by their 
Instructions to the several Governors of the said Province 
order them to recommend to the Assemblies of the said 
Province from time to time that the said Assemblies should 
establish a fixed and honourable Salary for the Support of 
the Dignity of the Governor there {for which looo Pounds 
sterling was deemed a competent Suml to be settled by Act 
of Assembly upon the Governor & his Successors, or at least 
upon the Governor during the whole Time of his Govern- 
ment. And the said Recommendation never having been 
complied with, Governor Belcher, who enter'd upon said 
Government in the Year 1730, obtained a relaxation of the 
said Instruction so far as to allow him to accept of the same 
Salary by Annual Acts only : in Consequence of which, after 

1 " Bernard Papers," vol. xii (Correspondence), p. 297. 

^ Then followed " To the right honourable the Earl of Shelburne his Majestys 
principal Secretary of State &c," but it was crossed off. 

' First written "Memorial," then changed to "humble petition." 

* First written " their late Majestys," then changed to "your Majestys royal 
predecessors Queen Ann." 

259 



26o BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

many difficulties & Delays, the Assembly at length did grant 
unto the Governor 975 pounds sterling for one Years salary, 
which was then accepted for & as 1000 Pounds, & has ever 
since been continued to be granted to the Governor from time 
to time by Annual Acts only. 

That at the Times of issuing the forementioned Instructions, 
wherein the said Sum of 1000 Pounds was declared to be a 
competent Salary, The Governor of Massachusets Bay was 
also Governor of New Hampshire, from which Province he 
received a separate Salary besides Fees & Perquisites ; it was 
also most probably presumed that the Fees and Perquisites 
of the Governor of Massachusets Bay being an extensive & 
rich Province must amount to a very considerable Sum, 
which if they bore any Proportion to those of other Govern- 
ments,, would not have been less than a Moiety of the Salary. 
From which Considerations it was probably concluded that 
the Governors whole Income must amount to little less than 
double the Salary.^ 

That Governor Shirly, who immediately succeeded Gov"^ 
Belcher & was the first Governor appointed to Massachusets 
Bay who had not also an Appointment to New-Hampshire, 
soon after his Appointment engaged in several Businesses 
of great Importance, in Consideration of which the Assembly 
granted him sev'ral considerable Sums of Money over and 
above the forementioned Salary. He also had the Command 
of a Regiment of regulars, which he enjoyed for the greater 
Part of the Time of his Government. He was also during 
Part of such Time appointed Commissary for settling the 

^ Then followed this sentence which was crossed off : " From which Con- 
siderations it was probably concluded that the Governors whole Income must 
amount to little less than double the Salary assigned by the forementioned 
Instructions." 



APPENDIX II 261 

Bounds of Acadia &c at Paris. He was also during other 
Part of such Time Commander in Cheif of his Majesty's 
Forces in America with a very large Establishment. By 
Means of all which Grants & Appointments over and above 
the ordinary Income of his Government. He never felt the 
Deficiency of his Salary as Governor nor had any Occasion 
to complain of the same. 

That Governor Pownall the immediate Successor of Gov' 
Shirley well understood how inadequate the Establishment of 
this Government was to the Importance and Dignity of it. 
But it being in the Time of War, when ev'ry Fund was charged 
with the utmost Weight it would bear, He found it so un- 
seasonable to apply for an Addition to his Salary; that he 
chose to wait for Releif by a Dismission from his Post & an 
Appointment to a more beneficial one; which he soon ob- 
tained. 

By these Means it is that it has fallen to the Lot of your 
Memorialist to represent the present State of the Establish- 
ment for the Support of the Governor of this Province ; and to 
shew how inadequate it is to the Importance & Dignity of the 
Government. For this Purpose he begs Leave to shew that 
besides the Seperation of the Government of New Hampshire 
from that of Massachusets Bay, & the low Reduction of 
Governors fees, by fee bills & other Means, to almost 
Nothing, a contingent Profit arising from the Governors 
Share of Custom House Seizures (which tho' in itself uncertain, 
has been heretofore reckoned at ^200 sterling com. Annis) 
has entirely ceased; there having been no Seizures made 
for some Time, nor none likely to be made, and indeed Profits 
of this Kind are of so invidious a Nature in this Place, that 
if they had continued or were like to be revived, the Memor^* 
would be obliged to sollidt an Equivalent for the Same in 



262 BARRINGTON-BEKNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Order that he might be discharged therefrom, & freed from 
the Censure occasioned thereby. 

By these Means the Income of the Governor of the Massa- 
shusets Bay is reduced to a very narrow Compass con- 
sisting only of two Articles, Salary 975 p*^^ Office fees less 
than 100 p"*?^ to ^1075. The Memorialist apprehends that 
he need not labour much to shew that 1075 pounds p^ Annum 
is not an honourable Support for a Governor of an exten- 
sive Populous & rich Province residing in one of the Cheif 
Capitals in America. He begs Leave to assert that his 
annual Expences have often exceeded that Sum, & cannot be 
kept within the Bounds of it, but by an Aconomy which must 
impair the Dignity of the Office. To put the inadequateness 
of this Appointment out of all Doubt, It may be sufficient 
to refer to the neighbouring Province of Nova Scotia, where 
it has been thought necessary to augment the Salary of the 
Governor to ^1500 p"" an; Notwithstanding that Business & 
Difficulty of that Government bears no Proportion to that of 
Massachusets Bay, and the Fees & Perquisites of the former 
greatly greatly exceed those of the latter. 

The Memorialist begs Leave to submit the premises to 
your Lordships Consideration with this Obvious Reflexions 
arising therefrom; that as well the Precariousness & De- 
pendency as the Incompetency of the Support of the Kings 
Governors tend very much to weaken the Authority of Govern- 
ment k. expose it to Disregard & Opposition. This has been 
frequently observed in some of the royal Goverments which 
are founded, as it were, in the Plenitude of the Kings Power. 
But it is much more observable in a Government, the Con- 
stitution of which has but one royal Ingredient in it (the ap- 
pointment of the Governor) and all the rest of its Composi- 
tion Democratical. In such a State the making the Governor 



APPENDIX II 263 

dependent upon the People & lowering him to the levell of 
them has Effects very hurtful to the Authority & Activity of 
Government, & such as at the present Time seem to require 
a speedy Redress. 

Wherefore the Memorialist humbly prays that your Lord- 
ship will be pleased, at such Time as shall be proper, to lay 
the Contents of this Memorial or such Parts thereof as shall 
deserve Notice before his Majesty in hopes that he May be 
graciously pleased to take The same into his royal Considera- 
tion, & order such further Provision for the Support of his 
Governor of the said Province to be made, as in his great 
Wisdom the Maintenance of the Dignity & Authority of his 
said Government shall appear to require Wherefore^ The 
Petitioner as well on the behalf of himself as of his Successors 
Governors of the said province most humbly prays your 
Majesty that you will ^ be graciously pleased to take the prem- 
isses into your royal Consideration, & make such order^ 
therein as to your Majesty in your great Wisdom shall 
be thought necessary for the Support of your Governor of 
Massachusets Bay & the honour & Dignity of your said Gov- 
ernment. And your Petitioner shall ever pray. 

^ These lines are on different paper and in different handwriting from the 
rest of the petition, but in the same handwriting as the corrections on the first 
page. Some one (perhaps Bernard himself) looked it over, made alterations 
on the first page and wrote the closing bit. 

^ First written "would." 

^ First written "order some further provision to be Made for." 



APPENDIX III 

State of the Disorders, 

Confusion & Mis-government 

which have prevailed & do still 

continue to prevail in His 

Majesty's Province of 

Massachusets Bay in 

America.^ 

(Jan. 1774) 

The King having thought fit to command that a 
state of the Disorders, Confusion and Misgovern- 
ment, which have of late prevailed in the Province 
of Massachusets Bay, should be laid before His 
Privy Council, for their Advice to His Majesty 
thereupon, the Papers herein referred to are sub- 
mitted, as containing all the Material Facts, which 
shew the distracted situation of that Province. 

From these Papers it will appear, that, notwith- 
standing the Colonies in America, by the Nature 
and principles of the Constitution of this Kingdom, 
are, and have, by Law, been expressly declared 
to be, subordinate unto & dependent upon the 
Imperial Crown & Parliament of Great Britain, and 

^ "Bernard Papers," vol. viii (Letter Book), p. 182. This paper is in the 
handwriting of a copyist and not in that of Bernard or any of his ordinary scribes ; 
but is most interesting as showing the situation in Massachusetts. It is given 
in the index under 1773; but on the first page of the manuscript in another ink 
and another handwriting — probably that of Jared Sparks — is the date (Jan. 
1774)- 

264 



APPENDIX III 265 

that it hath also been Enacted & declared, that the 
Kings Majesty by and with the advice and consent 
of the Lords Spiritual & Temporal, and Commons 
of Great Britain in Parliament assembled, had, 
hath, and of Right ought to have, full power and 
Authority to make Laws of sufficient Force & Va- 
lidity to bind the Colonies, and People of Amer- 
ica in all cases whatsoever ; — Yet nevertheless a 
variety of Illegal, Violent, & Unwarrantable Acts 
and Proceedings, tending to question & deny that 
Right and Authority, to subvert the Constitution, 
and to oppress the Subject, have been committed 
& done within the Province of Massachusets Bay ; 
and that the General Court in their Corporate 
Capacity have not only pursued no Measures, 
nor provided any means for suppressing the same, 
and for punishing the Offenders, as it was their Duty 
to have done ; but that the Council Acting in their 
separate Capacity as a Board of Advice, have in all 
Cases where the Authority of the Supreme Legisla- 
ture was in question, shewn a Backwardness to con- 
cur in such measures as were judged necessary for 
the preservation of the PubUc Peace, and that the 
House of Representatives have Countenanced & 
Encouraged such Violent and Illegal Acts, by adopt- 
ing the same opinions and declaring the same 
Principles upon which they were grounded. 

A Narrative of the Material Transactions in 
the Government of Massachusets Bay, since the 
Repeal of the Stamp Act, will justify the above 
observation ; and the Papers themselves, from which 
it is drawn, will support the Charge it contains. 



266 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 
Vide. Bos- The Success which had attended Flgitious 

& Sk Fran- Publications in the Boston Newspapers, on the 
cis Bernards Subjcct of the Stamp Act, in exciting the popular 
21, 22, 23, 24 Tumults which followed the promulgation of that 
Law, was too obvious to escape the Attention of 

Appendix 

No I. 



those, who wished to see the same opposition 
given to the Subsequent Revenue Laws ; and there- 
fore when it became known that such Laws were 
proposed, or at least as soon as they were pub- 
lished and the concomitant Establishment of 
Commissioners of the Customs for America had 
taken place, the Press again teemed with Publica- 
tions of the most daring nature, denying the 
Authority of the Supreme Legislature and tending to 
excite the people to an Opposition to its Laws. 

The Effect of those Publications and the general 
Disposition of the People to adopt the Principles 
other Papers they held out, wcre apparent, not only in unwar- 
rantable attempts to evade the payment of Duties 
imposed by Act of Parliament, but also in the Rescue 
by Force of Seizures made in Consequence thereof, 
and in the Grossest Ill-treatment of the Revenue 
Officers and of all those who gave their Countenance 
& Support, several instances of which, in the Years 
1766, 1767, & 1768, will be found in the Papers 
referred to, in some of which instances, the Cases 
appear to have been attended with very aggravating 
circumstances of the most daring Insult & Violence. 
Vide Govr Whilst the Spirit of Opposition to the Authority 

Letter'^of 10*^ of Government & to the Laws of this Kingdom 
Appendix' '° was Confined to Libels in the Newspapers, and to 
Acts of Violence & Disorder Committed by Indi- 



Vide also. 
Paragraph 
marked X 
in Memoria 
of Commr? 
of the Cus- 
toms of 28 
March 1768, 
in Appendix 

N?2. 

Vide Govf 
Bernards 
Letters, Me- 
morials from 
the Comm^? 
of the Gus- 



to Lord 
Hillsbor- 
ough's Office 
by the L*?.^ 
of the Treas- 
ury. 

Appendix 2. 



APPENDIX III 267 

viduals, there was reason to hope that, by a due 
exertion of the Constitutional powers granted by 
the Charter, such Unwarrantable Proceedings 
might have been suppressed and the Authors 
brought to due punishment : — But it is repre- 
sented that those cases, in which the Governor 
thought he could not Act without the advice of 
the Council, were not only deliberated upon in a 
manner that apparently shewed they were not dis- 
posed to concur in any Measures that might he effectual 
for that purpose; but that those persons from whom 
the remedy was to be expected were deeply infected 
with those Principles from the adoption of which 
these Disorders had arisen. 

Upon the Election of the Council in May 1766, vide Govr 
the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary, the Judges Letter to the 
of the Superior Court, and the Attorney General, ynjuiy 1776 
all of which, except the Attorney General, are to l? shei- 
stated to have been usually elected Members of their in- 

closures 

that Board, were excluded, apparently, as the nos 5 & 6. 
Governor represents, for no other reason but to no 3, 
mark a disrespect to the Crown Officers; for the 
men them selves were of unexceptionable Charac- 
ters; but no Argument of Justice to them, or 
Respect to Government, could prevail ; on the 
contrary, the Lieut^ Governor was soon after ex- 
cluded from being present at the Meetings of the 
Council, notwithstanding his Claim to such Privi- 
lege had both reason and usage to support it. 

In the Interval of the Adjournment of the 
General Court in 1766, a Transport with two 
Companies of Artillery was driven by distress of 



268 



BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 



Vide Sir 
Francis 
Bernards 
Letter of 
24 : Dec'' 
1776 [1766?] 
Appendix 
NO 4. 



Vide Jour- 
nals of Coun- 
cil in 

Assembly of 
8t.b Decem- 
ber 1766. 



Vide Govr 
Bernards 
NO s of 18: 
Febry 1767, 
in Appendix 
m 3. & 
printed 
Journals of 
the Assembly 
in Janry 
1767; Pages 
229, 230, and 
243, 



Weather into the Port of Boston, and upon appli- 
cation made to the Gov^ by the Commanding 
Officer that these Companies might be quartered 
pursuant to the Act of Parliament, the Gov^ with 
the Advice of the Council, ordered the Commissary 
to furnish them with the Articles required by the 
said Act. When the Assembly met, this matter 
was moved in the House, and it appearing that the 
Act of Parliament above referred to had with 
some other Acts of Parliament been Printed by 
Order of the Gov'' & Council, a message was sent 
to the Council, desiring to be informed by what 
Authority the said Act or Acts had been so pub- 
lished, and whether they knew of any Act requir- 
ing the Registry of Ordinances which the Legisla- 
ture there had not consented to. The Council 
having in Answer to this Message referred the 
House to the Governor for the Information they 
desired, the Answer was Voted to be not satis- 
factory and a Committee was Appointed to take 
the matter into consideration during the Recess. 

Upon the Meeting of the Assembly on the 28S'' 
of January 1767, a Message was sent to the Gov- 
ernor, desiring to be informed whether any Pro- 
vision had been made, at the Expence of that 
Government for the Kings Troops lately arrived 
in the Harbour of Boston. — In Answer to which 
the Governor sent them the Copy of the Minute of 
Council, by which Provision was made for the 
Artillery Companies, pursuant to Act of Parliament, 
and also an Account of the Expence that had been 
incurred. In reply to which they charged this 



APPENDIX III 269 

Measure upon the Governor as a Violation of the 
Charter, which was, they say, the more grievous to 
them, as it was justified upon the Authority of 
an Act of ParHament which was as great a 
Grievance as the Stamp Act, which took away 
the unaHenable Right of Freedom from all Taxa- 
tion, but such as they should Voluntarily consent 
to and Grant. 

The next important matter taken up by the vide Sir 
Assembly that manifested a Spirit of Opposition Bernards 

Letter N° 4 

to the Authority of Parliament was that of the of i8 Feb? 
Circular Letter of the ii'^'' of Feb^ 1768 to the Appendix 

. . No 5. 

other Colonies, mvitmg them to concur m Peti- 
tions for Redress in the Case of the Revenue Laws 
in which Letter they did at least draw into ques- 
tion, if not openly deny, the Authority of Parlia- 
ment to enact Laws binding upon the Colonies in 
all cases whatever, asserting that the Acts impos- 
ing duties upon the people of that province with 
the Sole and express purpose of raising a Revenue 
were infringements of their natural and Constitu- 
tional Rights. 

The same Doctrine and Principles were also held vide Appen- 
forth in other Letters, wrote by Order of the As- printed 
sembly at the same time, to such persons of Rank the Assembly 
in this Kingdom as they conceived, concurred with 1768 Page 

1 . .. ^ ^ • -r I'A 3Et sequen- 

them m opmion, and also m a Letter to their Agent, tes. 
in which Letter a Variety of other Acts of Par- 
liament and Measures of Government, founded 
thereon, are stated to be Grievous & oppressive & 
a Violation of their Charter Rights. 
The Publication of these Letters, which the 



270 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

House ordered to be printed with their Journals, 
and the Attrocious Publications in the Newspapers, 
which continued without any control, could not 
fail of having a very Mischievous Effect. 
Vide Sir F Qn the 1 8^^ of March the Anniversary of the 

Bernards •' 

March 1^68 I^^P^2,1 of the Stamp Act, some disorders were com- 
& Minutes of mittcd, & the Governor was induced, from many 
1^6^^^"^^^ concurrent circumstances to suspect that further 
Appendix. 6. g^j^^j greater Violences were intended ; upon which 
he thought fit to ask the opinion of the Council, 
whether they would at that time Advise him to take 
any Measures for securing the peace of the Town 
and what those Measures should be : to which 
they replied that as they apprehended there was no 
danger of any Disturbance, they did not think 
any Measures necessary to be taken for that pur- 
pose. But upon the Governors laying before them 
a Letter from the Commissioners of the Customs, 
expressing their Apprehensions that Insults would 
be offered to them, and One of their Officers having 
made Oath before the Council of his having been 
threatened with Mischief they Adjourned the Con- 
sideration of what might be proper to be done to a 
later hour, when no disturbances being reported to 
them, they declared their adherence to their former 
Opinion ; upon which the Governor thought fit to 
acquaint the Commissioners that he could give 
them no protection. 
Vide Sir F In the beginning of March 1768 Subscriptions 

Letter (NO 9) wcre made and Associations entered into for the 

of2i?tMarch 

Appendix Non-Importation of Goods from Great Britain ; — 
but this last Measure was at that time defeated, 



APPENDIX III 271 

by the Merchants in other Colonies refusing to 
concur in it. 

The Exclusion of the Lieutenant Governor and Vide. Sir F 

Bernards 

other Officers of Government from the Council at Letters of 30 

May 1767 

the General Election in 1766 has already been (N^ is) and 

of 30 May 

mentioned. The same direspect was shewn them 1768 (n^ 4). 

Appendix 

m 1767, & repeated upon the Meeting of the N^s. 
General Court in 1768. And whilst the conduct 
of the Assembly was actuated by such Principles, 
and such a disposition, in which it is represented 
that the Council had upon many occasions mani- 
fested a strong incHnation to concur; there was 
little room to hope that the disorders in the Gov- 
ernment would abate. On the contrary it appears Vide Sir F 

. . , ~ . , . Bernards 

that m consequence of the Seizure of a Vessel in Letter's (5. 

6, & 7) nth 

the Harbour of Boston for Runmng uncustomed 14*11 and i6tii 

June 1768. 

Goods a Mob was assembled on the 10^.. of Tune ; Appendix 

NO 9. 

and that the Collector of the Customs the Comp- 
troller, and other Officers & Persons who were 
Assisting in the said Seizure were Violently As- 
saulted by the said Mob, their Lives endangered. Vide also, 
& the Houses of several of them Attacked & At- ceived from 

the Treasury 

tempted to be forced ; and that this Riot was fol- on the 224 

^ . July 1768. 

lowed by Papers stuck, upon Liberty Tree, contain- Appendix 
ing an Invitation to the people to rise & clear the 
Country of the Commiss- and their Officers, one 
of which is said to have been devoted to Death. 

On the 11'^'' of Tune 1768 the Governor recom- vide. 

Journals of 

mended the State of the Town, under these Vio- the Council 

on the iitp 

lences, and Disorders to the Consideration of the & 13*? June 

. . 1768. 

Council who advised that such of the Members of 

the Board, who were Justices of the Peace, should 



272 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

make inquiry into the particular facts & Report 
the same to the Governor in Council, that so they 
might take proper Measures upon this interesting 
occasion. The Governor observes however in his 
Letter giving an Account of this Transaction, that 
there appeared a disposition in the Council to 
Meddle with it as little as possible. 

On the 13'^'* of June 1768 the Governor com- 
municated to the Council a Letter from the Com- 
missioners of the Customs, complaining that no 
notice had been taken of the late disturbances in 
the Town of Boston, whereby they were so imme- 
diately Affected. — Whereupon the Governor at 
the desire of the Board, wrote an Answer to the 
said Letter and informed them, that the Board being 
under no apprehensions of fresh disturbances, when 
they met last, they had postponed the considera- 
tion of the Business to that morning. — This being 
done, the Governor stated his apprehensions that 
there would be fresh disturbances & urged the con- 
sideration of Measures for the prevention thereof. 
But the Council thinking that there was no imme- 
diate danger of such disturbances advised that the 
matter should be referred to the Consideration of 
the General Court. 

In consequence of this Resolution of the Coun- 
cil & upon the Governors acquainting the Com- 
missioners that he could give them no protection & 
that Boston was no place of safety for them, they 
went on board His Majestys Ship Romney, & 
obtained an Order from the Governor for their 
admission into Castle William. 



APPENDIX III 273 

What is here stated with regard to the proceed- 
ings of the Council is taken from their Journals; 
but as many things are related by Gov' Bernard 
to have passed at the Meeting on the 13*^1^ June 
1768 which are not stated upon the Journals it 
may not be improper to refer to the Governor's Vide Letter 

in Appendix 

Letter to Lord Hillsborough on that subject, dated N" 9. 
the 14*-^ June 1768. 

In this Letter mention is made, that on the 13''' 
of June, Notice was given, by a Paper fixed on a 
Tree, called Liberty Tree, for all those, who in 
this time of oppression & Distraction wished well 
to the Town & Province to assemble at that Tree 
upon the next day : and the Governor relates in ywe Letter 

in Appendix 

another Letter dated i6'° of June that in conse- n°9- 
quence of this notice, there was a tumultuous 
Meeting of the People at the said Tree, from which 
they Adjourned to the Town Hall, where it was 
objected they were not a legal Meeting; where- 
upon they adjourned to the Afternoon, that in the 
mean time the Select Men might call a Town 
Meeting to Equahze the Assembly. 

In the Afternoon they met in a Meeting House, 
the Town Hall not being large enough for the 
Company & M"^ Otis was chosen Moderator. 

The Governor in his Letter to Lord Hillsborough 
giving an Account of this Transaction, relates that 
at this Meeting many Wild & Violent proposals 

were made, but were warded off. ■ Among 

these were, that every Captain of a Man of War 
that came into the Harbour, should be under the 
Command of the General Court; Another was, 



Vide Boston 
Gazette of 
2oth of June 
1768. 
Appendix 
NO 10. 



274 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

that if any Person should promote or assist the 
bringing Troops there, he should be deemed a dis- 
turber of the peace and a Traitor to his Country. 
But nothing was done finally except the passing a 
Petition to the Governor and appointing a Com- 
mittee of 21 Persons to present it to him, & also a 
Committee to prepare Instructions for their Rep- 
resentatives & a Letter to M'' De Berdt, as their 
Agent, after which they adjourned to the next day. 
In the Petition & in the Instructions which in 
consequence were agreed upon & afterwards Pub- 
lished in the Boston Newspapers it is asserted as a 
fundamental principle of the Constitution that no 
Man shall be Governed by Laws nor Taxed but by 
himself or Representative legally & finally chosen; 
& to which he does not give his own consent ; that 
Laws and Taxes are imposed upon them, to which 
they have not only, not given their Assent, but 
against which they have firmly remonstrated, as 
Violations of their Constitution, and as meant only 
to support Swarms of Officers & Pensioners in 
Idleness and Luxury. — They say that to contend 
with their Parent State is a dread full Extremity, 
but that they cannot bear the reflection of tamely 
submitting without one Struggle, and apprehend 
that it is in the option & Power of the Governor 
to prevent them effecting too much, and save them 
the Reproaches and Shame of attempting to little. 
That as the Board of Customs have thought fit, 
of their own Motion, to relinquish the Exercise of 
their Commission ; and as they cannot but hope 
that being convinced of the Impropriety & Injus- 



APPENDIX in 27s 

tice of such an Establishment and of the inevitable 
Destruction which would ensue from the Exercise of 
that Office, they will never re-assume it; they 
flatter them selves the Governor will redress the 
other Grievance, by immediately ordering the 
Romney Man of War to remove from the Harbour. 
— That they would maintain their Loyalty to the 
King, a Reverence & due Subordination to the British 
Parliament, as the Supreme Legislature in all cases 
of necessity for the preservation of the whole Empire; 
but at the same time to assert and vindicate their 
Dear and Invaluable Rights and Liberties at the 
utmost hazard of their Lives and Fortunes. — They 
then state the case of Impressing as a Grievance 
contrary to an Express Act of Parliament, desire 
their Representatives will pursue Measures for their 
Redress, and for preventing Impresses of all kinds, 
and to promote parliamentary Inquiry, whether 
the Commissioners of the Customs or any other 
persons whatever, have really written or Solicited 
for Troops, & to what end; and that they would 
forward, if they thought expedient, Resolutions 
that every such person who shall Solicit or promote 
the Importation of Troops at this time, is an 
Enemy to that Town & Province, & a Disturber of 
the Peace. 

Whether Proceedings & Resolutions of this vide Printed 
nature in a Town Meeting, legal only to the pur- Massachu- 
poses of Election of Officers, and the management of Pages 18, 19. 
the prudential Affairs of the Town, are, or are not 
criminal, or if criminal what is the Degree of the 
Guilt, must be submitted; but it is necessary to 



Vide 

Journals of 
the Council 
on 22<i 27 
and 29?'' 
July 1768. 



th 



276 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Vide printed obscrve, that they were followed the next day by a 
the Assembly Concurrent Vote of the Council and Assembly, that 
Page 63 — Inquiry should be made into the Grounds and 
of Council Reason for the present apprehensions of the People, 
sembiy 18'." that Mcasurcs have been, and are now taking, for 
the Execution of the late Revenue Acts of Parlia- 
ment by a Naval and Military Force. 

In this situation the Disorders and Confusions 
which had prevailed in the Town of Boston re- 
mained unnoticed until the 22°*^ of July when the 
Governor moved the Council to take into con- 
sideration some Measures for restoring Vigour and 
Firmness to Government. Whereupon it was 
agreed to take up this consideration on the 27*^'* 
and to summon such Members as were within such 
a Distance as to be able to give their Attendance. 

At this Meeting the Governor recapitulated what 
had passed relative to the Riot on the 10^^ of June and 
desired the opinion of the Council what might be 
done to punish the Perpetrators of those Outrages, to 
preserve the peace of the Town, and to give such 
Protection to the Commissioners of the Customs, 
as that they might return in safety to Boston. 

The Governor further stated, that the proposi- 
tion, made at a former Meeting that this Business 
should be taken up by the General Court at large 
had produced no effect, and that all the Disorders 
complained of, & objects recommended to con- 
sideration, remained unredressed or unprovided 
for ; that no Measure had been fallen upon to en- 
able the Commissioners of the Customs to return 
in safety, to punish the Raisers & Perpetrators of 



APPENDIX HI 277 

the Riots and Tumults, or to preserve the peace of 
the Town and to support the Authority of Govern- 
ment ; that this neglect would certainly be taken 
notice of at home, and therefore he required them 
to give him their full, free and true advice, accord- 
ing to the Duties of their Office, and the Terms of 
their Oaths to perform the same; that he had 
received advice from Gen* Gage, that the Troops 
at Halifax were ordered to be in readiness in case 
he (the Governor) should require their Assistance ; 
in return to which he had informed the Gen! that 
he would communicate this to the Council, and, 
if they advised him to require those Troops, he 
should do so; and if they should not advise him 
to require them, he should not, being determined 
in such a business to do nothing without the 
Advice of the Council; and therefore he desired 
their advice, whether he should according to Gen' 
Gage's offer require Troops from Halifax to support 
the Execution of the Civil power. 

On the 2(f^ of July 1768 the Council made a 
reply to what had been laid before them by the 
Governor, in which they state that the Disorders, 
which happened on the 10*'* of June, arose from the 
Violent and unprecedented manner in which the 
Officers of the Customs had made Seizure of the 
Sloop Liberty. They reminded him of the Order 
that had been made on the ii*^?* of June for the 
Justices to enquire into the Facts relative to the 
Riot that had been committed ; they alledged that 
the matter as it stood, referred to a Committee of 
the General Court, included a consideration of 



278 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Measures necessary to be pursued for the preven- 
tion of the like Disturbances for the future; that 
the bringing that consideration to a Report and 
Issue was prevented by what passed in conse- 
quence of the Orders from Home, by which the 
Assembly was threatened with a Dissolution, and 
was finally defeated by the Prorogation, & Disso- 
lution that followed in consequence thereof ; that 
they are now ready, upon the first call since their 
Dissolution, to do every thing in their power to 
pervent future Disturbances, that with regard to 
the Commissioners of the Customs, their quitting 
the Town was a mere Voluntary Act of their own, 
no Insult having been offered to them nor any 
Attack upon their Persons or Houses; that the 
posting Men of War in the Harbour was an Impu- 
tation on the Loyalty of the Town and a Dis- 
couragement to its Trade ; that if the Commis- 
sioners had procured those Ships, or had endeavoured 
to procure Troops to be sent thither, it could not 
be thought strange that the province entertained 
no affection for them; that they detested and 
abhorred the Riots and Disorders, which had been 
committed, and therefore advised the Governor to 
direct the Attorney General to prosecute all per- 
sons Guilty thereof, or that any ways aided or 
abetted the same, and to Issue a Proclamation for 
Preventing, suppressing, and punishing all Tumults 
and unlawful Assemblies ; that, with regard to the 
Offer made by Gen' Gage, they were of opinion 
the Civil Power did not need the support of Troops, 
and that it was not for His Majestys Service or 



APPENDIX III 279 

the Peace of the Province, that any Troops should 
be required; and that if any Persons have made 
application to Gen* Gage for Troops, they deemed 
them in the highest degree unfriendly to the Peace 
and good order of the Government, as well as to 
His Majesty's Service & the British Interest in 
America. 

The foregoing Account of what passed in Coun- 
cil on the 2f} & 2()^^ of July 1768 is taken from 
the Journal of their proceedings, but it is sub- 
mitted whether it may not be adviseable on this 
occasion to refer to Journals them selves and to the 
Account given by Gov*^ Bernard of these proceed- 
ings in his Letter to Lord Hillsborough of the 30^^ Blfna^ds^ 
of July 1768, where many things are stated that 3o"^5uiy 
do not appear upon the Journals, and many Re- Xp^p^ndix 
marks are made upon the manner in which the ^° ^^• 
Council attempt to justify their conduct, in the 
case of the Riots and Disturbances in the Month 
of June 1768. 

The General Court having been dissolved in 
August 1768, in consequence of the Assembly's 
Refusal to Rescind the Resolution that gave birth 
to the Circular Letter of the ii*^^ of March it is 
necessary to state many Facts & Events of a very 
extraordinary nature subsequent thereto. 

Notice has been already taken, in a former part 
of this Paper, of the attempt made in March 1768, 
to set on Foot Associations & subscriptions for not 
importing Goods from Great Britain, and of the 
causes of the failure of that attempt, — This un- 
warrantable Measure was however again tryed with 



28o BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

better success in the beginning of August, when 
most of the Merchants of the Town of Boston 
entered into and subscribed an agreement, that 
they would not send for, or Import any kind of 
Goods or Merchandize from G : Britain some few 
Articles of necessity excepted from the if of 
Janry 1769, to the i*" of Janry 1770, and that they 
would not Import any Tea, Paper, Glass, or 
Painters Colours, until the Act imposing Duties 
on those Articles should be repealed. 

On the 5^1" of Sept there appeared in the Boston 
Gazette a Paper containing certain queries, calcu- 



Vide Sir F 
Bernard's 
Letter of g"" 
Augt 1768 ■ 
(NO 17) and 
Boston 
Gazette of 
St^ Augt 
1768. ■ 
Appendix 
NO 12. 



Vide 
Boston 
Gazette of 
K- ScDtcrriDGr 

1768. Paper latcd to posscss the People with an opinion that the 

beginning 
"Reader 
attend" 
Appendix 
No 13. 



Vide Gov' 
Bernards 
Letter 
(NO 22) of 
16'? Septr 
1768.— 
Appendix 
No 14. 



Measures of Parliament with respect to America 
and those which Government had pursued for the 
support of them, were of such a nature, as that 
the Political Union between Great Britain & the 
Colonies was thereby Dissolved; and therefore 
that it was necessary, that a Convention should be 
held, in order to agree upon a plan for the Govern- 
ment of that Colony in particular. 

The Governor alarmed at the Doctrine held out 
in this Paper & for the consequences which might 
follow therefrom, if the Troops which Gen' Gage 
had informed him were by the Kings Command 
coming from Halifax, should arrive without the 
peoples having any Intimation of them, thought 
fit to give out, that he had private advice that 
such an Event might be expected. 

In consequence of this Intelligence being made 
Public, several private Meetings (as the Governor 
states it) were held by the Inhabitants of Boston, 



APPENDIX in 281 

in one of which it was the general opinion that they 
should raise the Country and oppose the Troops; 
that it was reported & believed that a Resolution 
was come to in another Meeting to Surprize and 
take the Castle; and that an Empty Turpentine 
Barrel was put upon the Pole of a Beacon that 
had been lately erected without his Consent ; that 
the Council, alarmed by these Reports and appear- 
ances, desired a Meeting might be summoned, 
which was accordingly done ; at which Meeting 
Orders were given for taking down the Barrel fixed 
upon the Beacon. 

On the 12^'' of Sept! the Freeholders and other 
Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Assembled in Vide 

m iT • • Boston 

Town Meetmg at Fanueil Hall, and, after a Prayer Gazette 

. , , -r, J -. of ig Septem- 

upon the occasion by the Rev? D^ Cooper, M"^ ber 1768. 

, , ' Appendix 

Otis was unanimously chosen Moderator, and a no 15. 
Petition of the Inhabitants, praying that the Town 
might be legally convened, in Order to Inquire of 
the Governor the Grounds & Reasons of Sundry 
Declarations made by him, that Three Regiments 
might be daily expected there ; and also to con- 
sider of the most wise, constitutional loyal and 
salutary Measures to be adopted on such an occa- 
sion, having been read, a Committee was appointed 
to make the Inquiry requested, and a Petition to 
the Governor was framed, praying him to Issue 
precepts for convening a General Assembly with all 
speed. 

At the same time a Committee was Appointed 
to take the state of Public Affairs into considera- 
tion, and Report the Measures they apprehend 



282 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

the most salutary to be taken in the present 
Emergency. 

On the next day to which the Meeting was ad- 
journed the Committee Reported the following 
Declaration & Resolves. 

Vide Boston Gazette of the ig^^ Septenf. 1768, N" 
703, at the Mark N" i. 

This Report was unanimously accepted and 
Recorded, and the following Votes were also unani- 
mously passed, after which the Meeting was dis- 
solved Viz; 

Vide as before N''f 2 and j — 

The following is a Copy of the Circular Letter, 
written by the Select Men of Boston, and directed 
to the Select Men of the several Towns within 
that Province agreeable to the above Votes. 

Vide as before N" 4 — 

The foregoing Account of the proceedings of the 
Town Meeting was printed by their directions in 
the Boston Gazette of the 19'^'^ of Sept^ but as there 
are many circumstances relative to what passed at 
this Meeting related in Governor Bernards Letter 
Vide Sir F to Lord Hillsborough of the 16*^ of that Month, 
Letter in which appear to be very Material for considera- 

Appendix . . , . . , _ 

14. tion, it may not be improper to refer to that Letter 

It may be proper here to repeat what has been 
before said in respect to the Proceedings of a former 
Town Meeting that is to say, that whether they 
are, or are not Criminal, or if so, what is the de- 
gree of Guilt, must be submitted ; but it is also 
here as in the former case, necessary to observe, 
that no Steps whatever were taken to suppress so 



APPENDIX III 283 

extraordinary a Proceeding, nor does it appear to 
have been taken any Notice of by the Council, or 
by any of the Civil Magistrates in the Colony. 

On the 22*^ of Sept^ a number of Persons, up- 
wards of 70. being Commees from 66 Towns and 
Districts, assembled in Convention at Fanueil 
Hall to consult and advise the most effectual Meas- 
ures, as might most effectually promote the peace 
and good order of His Majestys Subjects in that 
Govemm* at this very dark and distressing time. 

The first step taken in this extraordinary Con- 
vention was the Chusing a Chairman and Clerk, 
and the objects of this choice were the late Speaker 
and the Clerk of the Assembly, after which they 
agreed upon a Petition to the Governor, praying 
that he would summon the Constitutional Assem- 
bly of the Province in order to consider of Meas- 
ures for preventing an unconstitutional Encroach- 
ment of Military power on the Civil Establish- 
ment, for promoting the Prosperity of the Kings 
Governor, and the peace, good order, & due Sub- 
mission of His Majestys Subjects. 

The Governor however thought fit to refuse the 
receiving this Petition, assigning for reason that 
such a reception would be to admit this Conven- 
tion to a legal Assembly, which he could by no 
means allow, and therefore admonished them, 
by Message, to break up instantly and separate 
themselves before they did any business in order 
to avoid the consequences of the High Offence 
they were Committing. 

In answer to this Message they endeavour to 



284 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Justify themselves by stating the grounds on 
which they Assembled, and by openly disclaiming 
all pretence to any Authoratative or Governmental 
Acts ; but the Governor refused to receive any 
Paper from them, and, after having sate for three 
days, they adjourned to the 3*^ of October when 
they broke up, finishing their Proceedings with the 
Publication of a Paper which they stiled, the 
result of the Conference and Consultation of the 
Committee's, chosen by a number of Towns and 
Districts, and convened at Boston on the 22f of 
Sept' 1768. 

On the 19*'' of Sept' the Governor communi- 
cated to the Council the Letters which he had 
received from Gen! Gage & the Earl of Hillsborough 
informing him of the Orders that had been given 
for sending to Boston two Regiments from Halifax 
& two from Ireland and moved the board to give 
him their Advice in what manner provision should 
be made for their Reception and Accommodation. 

As the Answer given to the Governor by the 
Council on this occasion and what passed in con- 
sequence thereof, as well as upon the Arrival of 
the Troops, in respect to the quartering of them 
in the Town of Boston are very material in the 
Consideration of the State of the Government of 
Massachusets Bay and to the Conduct of the 
Council as a Board of advice & Consultation, and 
as the subject matter of these transactions cannot 
be related abstractedly, without a hazard of Mis- 
leading, it is submitted whether it may not be 
most adviseable to refer not only to the Journals 



APPENDIX III 285 

of the Council, but also to the Governors Letters 
to the Secry of State upon the Subject, from which 
will appear the many difficulties that were created 
to obstruct the Kings Service on this occasion, the 
pretences that were used to evade and defeat the 
operation of the Act of ParHament for Quartering 
His Majestys Troops in America, and to bring 
reproach upon, and excite Opposition to the 
Measures His Majesty had been graciously pleased 
to pursue for supporting the Civil Magistrates, 
and enabling them to execute the Law. 

It was not however in this business alone that 
the Council are said to have obstructed the Meas- 
ures of Government ; they are stated by Governor 
Bernard to have shewn upon every other occasion 
where they were consulted by him upon matters 
relative to the State of the Colony, in cases where 
the Authority of Parliament was in Question, a 
Resolution to persevere in a conduct that could 
have no other effect than to increase the Disorders 
and ill-humours that prevailed and to defeat every 
step that could be taken for restoring peace and 
good order in the Town of Boston. — It would be 
drawing out this paper to too great a length to 
enumerate all the instances of this disposition 
which are stated : they are fully set forth in the 
Governors Letters to the Secretary of State; and 
it is to this disposition in the Council that he 
attributes that Weakness in the Government, 
which rendered ineffectual every Measure that 
had been directed or proposed for remedying the 
disorders which had so long existed in that Prov- 



286 BAKRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

ince, and for supporting His Majesty's Authority, 
and that of the supreme Legislature. 

There is one Fact however stated in the Ac- 
count of the Transactions of this time, which is 
too material to be passed over in the Considera- 
tion of the State of the Province as it relates to 
the Conduct of the Council, which is, the pretence 
they set up, of acting as a Council of State with- 
out the intervention of, & separate from, the 
Governor, and their presuming to Publish, the 
Minutes of their proceedings, and their Resolu- 
tions before they were communicated to him. 
Vide Councils It must howcvcr be observed that the Council 

Letters 

Appendix in three Letters to Lord Hillsborough two of the 

N° 18. . 

15 of April & one of the 12*!^ of June 1769, thought 
fit to give an explanatory detail of their Conduct 
in the cases in which they are charged by the 
Governor with neglect of Duty and want of zeal 
for the support of Government, to which Letter it 
may be here proper to refer. — But whatever was 
the cause to which the Weakness of Government in 
that Province is to be attributed, the Fact is, that 
all the unwarrantable proceedings stated in the 
foregoing Sheets, were committed and done with 
intire impunity, and though repeated Orders were 
given to the Governor to pursue every measure 
for bringing the Offenders to Justice and for mak- 
ing Inquiry into the Grounds and Causes of the 
Disorders and Distractions, and every support 
given that was required to enable the Officers of 
the Crown and the Civil Magistrates to perform 
their Duty; Yet these Orders had no effect, & 



APPENDIX III 287 

therefore it was thought fit, in the beginning of 
the Year 1769 to Submit the State of the Colony 
to the consideration of ParHament. 

The result of this Measure will appear in videReso- 
the Joint Resolutions of both Houses of Parlia- Addresses 
ment and their Address to the King in February Houses of 

Parliament 
1709. in Feby. 

The just censure of the proceedings in the prov- 
ince of Massachusets Bay & of the Conduct of 
the Council and other Civil Magistrates expressed 
by both Houses of Parliament in their Resolutions ; 
and their Approbation of the Measure of sending 
Troops thither to support and protect the Magis- 
trates and the Officers of the Revenue were very 
far from producing the good Effect that might 
reasonably have been hoped for; a Disposition to 
deny the Authority and resist the Laws of the 
supreme Legislature continued still to prevail, not 
only in flagitious publications in the daily News- 
papers, but also in a Variety of Violent and un- 
warrantable Resolutions & proceedings of those 
Merchants and others who had subscribed to the 
Agreements for Non Importation of Goods from 
Great Britain. 

Meetings of the Associators were held in as vide— 

. Printed 

regular a manner as any other Meetmg Authorized Account of 

the Associ- 

by the Constitution. — Committees were ap- ations, and 

their pro- 
pointed to Examine the Cargoes of all Vessels ceedingsin 

consequence 

arriving from Great Britain, and regular Votes & thereof 

from Page 

Resolutions of Censure were passed m these Meet- i to Page 24. 

. Appendix 

mgs upon all such as refused to concur m these N" 19. 
unlawful Associations : and their Names were pub- 



288 BARRINGTON-BERNAKD CORRESPONDENCE 

lished in the Public Newspapers as Enemies to 
their Country. 

In some cases Goods imported from Great 
Britain were locked up in Warehouses under the 
care of these Committees in Order to prevent their 
being Sold; and, in One or two instances they 
were re-Shipped to Great Britain. 

It is not necessary to relate all the unwarrant- 
able and violent proceedings of these Associators; 
the nature and Effect of them can only be judged 
of by reading the proceedings themselves which 
are here referred to. 
Vide Sir F On the 31*?^ of May 1769 the General Court met 

Bernards __. 

Letters N?? at the Court House at Boston pursuant to His 
Printed * Majestys Writs, and the first step the Assembly 
the Assembly took, before they proceeded on any other Business 
7. 8. 18. ig. ' was to send a Message to the Gov' asserting that 
59! 60! 68! 77! the having Ships in the Harbour and Troops in 
Appendix the Towu of Bostou was inconsistent with their 

N° 20 

Dignity and Freedom & therefore that they had a 
right to expect that he would give Orders for the 
removal of the Forces by Sea and Land from that 
Port, & from the Gates of the City during the 
Session of the Assembly; & at the same time the 
House came to several Resolutions to the same 
Effect as the Declarations contained in their Mes- 
sage to the Governor. 

The Governor having in reply to their Message, 
acquainted them that he had no Authority over 
His Majesty's Ships in that Port, or His Troops 
in that Town, nor could give any Orders for the 
Removal of them ; they then proceeded to the 



APPENDIX III 289 

Election of Councillors in which Election not only 
the Lieutenant Governor & other OflScers of Gov- 
ernment were excluded, but also several other 
Gentlemen who had been of the former Council ; 
& who, the Governor represents, had shewn a dis- 
position to support the Kings Government, to 
acknowlege the Authority of Parliament and to 
preserve the people from Democratical despotism, 
and were otherwise distinguished by their Integ- 
rity and Ability. 

On the 13*^ of June the Assembly sent an An- 
swer to the Governors Message of the 31^*^ of May, 
in which he told them he had no Authority over 
the Kings Ships or Troops. 

In this Answer they assert that by the principles 
of the Constitution the Governor of that Colony 
has the absolute Military Command, that the 
sending a Military Force there to enforce the Exe- 
cution of the Laws is inconsistent with the nature 
of Government & the Spirit of a free Constitution ; 
that the unwillingness of a people in general that 
a Law should be Executed was a strong presump- 
tion of its being an unjust Law, that it could not 
be their Law, as the people must consent to Laws 
before they can be obliged in conscience to obey 
them. 

Several other Messages passed between the Gov' 
and Assembly upon the Subject of the Troops, 
but they are little more than a repetition of the 
matter that has been already stated, and the 
altercation ended on the 21®.'^ of June with a Reso- 
lution of the Assembly, "That the British Con- 



290 



BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

"stitution admits of no Military Force within the 
''Realm, but for the purposes of Offensive & de- 
"fensive War; and therefore that the sending and 
"continuing a Military Force within this Colony, 
''for the express purpose of Aiding & assisting the 
"Civil Government, is an Infraction of the Natural 
"and Constitutional Rights of the People, a breach 
"of the Privilege of the General Assembly, incon- 
"sistent with that freedom with which this House, 
"as one branch of the same hath a right and ought 
"to debate, consult and determine; and Mani- 
"festly tends to the subversion of that happy form 
"of Government which we have hitherto Enjoyed." 
Whilst the General Court was sitting Intelli- 
gence was received of the Resolutions of Parlia- 
ment respecting the Disorders within the province 
of Massachuset? Bay ; and Authenticated Copies of 
such of the Correspondence with the Governor as 
had been laid before Parliament, had been trans- 
mitted from hence ; upon which the Assembly did 
on the y^^ of July come to several Resolutions, 
asserting that the Sole right of Imposing Taxes 
upon the Inhabitants of that Colony was legally 
and Constitutionally vested in the House of Rep- 
resentatives lawfully convened according to the 
Antient and Established practice, with the Con- 
sent of the Council and of His Majesty the King 
of Great Britain or of His Governor for the time 
being; that the Convention in Septem^ 1768 was 
a measure of necessity, nor could it possibly be 
illegal, as they positively disclaimed all Govern- 
mental Acts; that the Establishment of a stand- 



APPENDIX III 

ing Army in that Colony in time of Peace, without 
the consent of the General Assembly, was an In- 
fringement upon the Natural Rights of the People, 
and a violation of their Charter ; that the sending 
of an Armed Force, into the Colony, under pre- 
tence of Assisting the Civil Authority, was an 
attempt to Establish such a standing Army with- 
out their consent and was highly dangerous, un- 
precedented, and unconstitutional ; that too many 
Persons in Power at home do avow most rancorous 
Enmity against the Free part of the British Con- 
stitution, and are indefatigable in their endeavours 
to render the Monarchy Absolute, & the Adminis- 
tration Arbitrary in every part of the British Em- 
pire ; that the Extension of the power of the Courts 
of Admiralty was highly dangerous & Alarming; 
that all Trials for Treason Misprision of Treason 
or for any Felony or Crime whatsoever committed 
or done in that Colony, ought of right to be had 
and conducted within the Courts of that Colony; 
and that the seizing any Person or Persons resid- 
ing in this Colony, suspected of any Crime what- 
soever committed therein, and sending such Per- 
son or Persons to places beyond the Sea, to be 
Tried, is highly derogatory to the Rights of British 
Subjects, as thereby the inestimable Privilege of 
being Tried by a Jury from the Vicinage as well as 
the liberty of summoning & producing Witnesses 
on such Trial will be taken away from the Party 
accused. 

These are some of the principal Declarations 
contained in the Resolves of the Assembly; but 



291 



292 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

they do also contain a variety of other Assertions 
of a very dangerous and Malignant nature, tend- 
ing to inflame the minds of the People against the 
Kings Government, and against the Governor and 
Commander in Chief; and Sir Francis Bernard 
having in repeated Messages to them to make 
Provision for the Expences that had been incurred 
in Quartering the Kings Troops, the Sessions ended 
with an Answer to these Messages, in which they 
arraign in the Strongest terms, the Justice of the 
Supreme Legislature in passing the Revenue Laws, 
and more especially that for Quartering the Kings 
Troops, and declare their Resolution never to 
make Provision for the Services pointed out in the 
Governors Messages. 

The General Court having, in consequence of 
these Proceedings, been prorogued by the Governor 
to the lo'^'' of January nothing of any great mo- 
ment occurred in the Colony, excepting a Con- 
tinuance of very Violent and unwarrantable 
Measures for Supporting the Associations for non- 
Importation of Goods from Great Britain, until 
the unhappy quarrel between the Towns people 
of Boston and the Soldiery on the $^^ of March; 
from the Accounts of which, as well as from the 
frequent attacks that had, at different times been 
made upon the Troops, there is much reason to 
apprehend, that there was a premeditated design 
to seek occasion, by such quarrels of forcing the 
Regiment to leave the Town. 

Since this Event every endeavour has been 
exerted by the People of Boston to accelerate the 



Vide Lieut' 
Govr Hut- 
chinson's, 
Coll Dal- 
rymple and 
Gen' Gage's 
Letters — 
Appendix 

No 21. 



APPENDIX III 293 

Trial of Capt- Preston and the Soldiers who Sur- 
rendered them selves up to Justice, and to involve 
the Commissioners of the Customs and their 
Officers in the guilt of aiding and abetting the 
Soldiers in (what is called) the Massacre of the 
People. — And tho' the Courts of Justice have 
endeavoured to withstand the attempts that have 
been made to influence their proceedings, yet, 
there are but too many symptoms of their being 
awed & terrified by the Violences of the people. 

It must however be observed that tho' the firm- 
ness of the Lieutenant Governor, in Negativing 
in one or two instances, the Election of Persons 
who have been most forward in opposition to the 
Authority of the Parliament ; has in some degree 
checked the dangerous spirit which prevailed, yet he 
represents that he has only the Shadow of Power 
without the Council whose Advice or Consent he 
has never been able to obtain to any proposal he 
has made for discountenancing the usurpation of 
the powers of Government by the Town of Boston ; 
and the People being now possessed with an 
opinion that they have many Advocates in Parlia- 
ment who justify them in all they have done the 
State of the Colony is more desperate than Ever. 

But this will be better explained by the In- 
structions from the Town of Boston to their 
Representatives on the 1^^^ of last Month, and by 
the Messages from the Assembly to the Lieutenant Vide 
Governor, and his Answers thereto — ^ no 22 — 



APPENDIX IV 

NARRATIVE! 

The Advices received from Boston, in Letters 
from GoVr Hutchinson, Admiral Montagu, and the 
Commandant of the Kings Troops at Castle 
William, and the Information taken here of Cap* 
Scott, lately arrived from thence, contain the fol- 
lowing Facts — Viz f — 

ist That, in the night between the if & 2f of No- 

vember, anonymous Letters were delivered at the 
Houses of the Persons Commissioned by the East 
India Company, for the Sale of Teas sent on their 
own Account to Boston, requiring them to appear 
next day at noon at Liberty Tree to make a Public 
Resignation of their Commission, and Printed 
notices were posted up in several parts of the 
Town of Boston desiring the Freemen to meet 
at Liberty Tree in order to receive such Resigna- 
tion, and to oblige said Agents to swear they would 
reship any such Tea to London. 

2<uy That on the 2^ of November, the Select Men of 

Boston, the Town Clerk and three or four Members 
of the House of Representatives, — accompanied 
by a number of Inhabitants, assembled at Liberty 

!" Bernard Papers," vol. viii (Letter Book) p. 229. This "Narrative" 
is in the same handwriting as the " State of the Disorders." It bears in 
pencil the date 1773. 

294 



APPENDIX IV 295 

Tree for the purposes aforementioned, and that 
soon after M*^ Molineux, attended by a number of 
other persons, calling themselves a Committee of 
the said Meeting, consisting among others of M- 
Denny, Df Warren, D' Church, and M"^ Johanat, 
repaired to the House of M"^ Clark, one of the said 
Agents and being asked by M' Clark what they 
expected of him, M"" Molineux read a paper, in 
which, among other things, it was demanded that 
the persons, to whom it was expected the Tea 
would be consigned, would engage not to receive 
it, but that it should be sent back to England, 
and that one of the Bills of Lading should be 
delivered to them that they might send it to their 
Agent in London. 

That upon M"^ Clarke and the other Agents who s^'y 

were present declaring they would not comply 
with this Demand, M"' Molineux declared that they 
either were or would be voted Enemies to their 
Country and must expect to be treated as such. 

That after this the Committee with the Mob 4^ 

that attended them retired, and soon after returned, 
assaulted M"^ Clarke's House, the Doors of which 
were Shut from an apprehension of Violence, and 
having forced open the Doors attempted to make 
their way up Stairs, but meeting with Resistance 
they desisted. 

That during the proceedings a M' Hatch a s*.'y 

Gentleman in the Commission of the Peace, re- 
quired the Mob to disperse; but they hooted at 
him, and one of them having Struck him a blow, 
he retired. 



296 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

6thiy 'pi^j^i- on the 5*? of Nov' a Town Meeting was 
held at Faneuil Hall, at which it was voted that 
the Hon^ John Hancock Esql? M' John Pitt, 
M"^ Samuel Adams, M"' Samuel Abbot, D"" Joseph 
Warren, M' William Powell, and M' Nathaniel 
Appleton, should be a Committee to wait on the 
Agents of the East India Company, and to request 
them from a regard to their own Character, and 
the Peace & good Order of the Town and Province, 
immediately to resign their Appointment, with 
this request the Agents refused to comply and 
signified their refusal in Letters to the Hon^ John 
Hancock who was Moderator of the Town Meeting. 

7*.'? That on the 12*:'' of Novf Information was given 
to M'' Oliver the Lieut*^ Governor, that an Attack 
would be made that Evening upon some of the 
Agents ; Intimation of this being given to them they 
left their Houses, but no such attack was made. 

8t? That on the if} in the Evening a Mob of 
between one and two hundred people, beset the 
House of M"^ Hutchinson one of the said Agents, 
but finding that he was not at home, they went 
to the House of M"" Clarke, another of the said 
Agents, which they Attacked, and endeavoured to 
bieak open the Door, but meeting with resistance 
they contented themselves with breaking the Glass 
and Frame of the Window, and then dispersed. 

9 That in consequence of the disturbance before 
mentioned, the Governor Assembled his Council, 
and laid before them the necessity of some Meas- 
ures being taken for preserving the Peace, and 
supporting the Authority of Government. 



APPENDIX IV 297 

That during their dehberations a Petition was loffi 
delivered from the Agents stating the Insults they 
had received, and the danger to which they were 
exposed; and praying that they might be at 
liberty to resign themselves, and the Property 
committed to their care, to the Governor and 
Council, as the Guardians and Protectors of the 
People, but the Council broke up without coming 
to any Resolution. 

That on the 23^ of Nov^ the Council met again n*? 
without doing any thing but referring the Busi- 
ness to a further consideration on the 29- when 
they took into consideration a Report made by a 
Committee in which it is stated that the proceed- 
ings of Parliament had given just ground of discon- 
tent to the People, and those proceedings are 
assigned as the cause of the present Disturbances. 
— The Agents are referred to the Justices of the 
Peace for the protection they desire, and it is 
declared that the Council had no Authority to 
take charge of the Tea, and that should they direct 
or advise any measure for Landing it, they would of 
course advise to a Measure for procuring Payment of 
the Duty, which being inconsistent with the declared 
Sentiments of both Houses in the last Winter 
Sessions of the General Court, they apprehend to 
be altogether inexpedient and improper. — That 
with regard to the disturbances the Authors of 
them ought to be prosecuted, and they advise that 
the Governor should renew his Orders to the Jus- 
tices, Sheriff and other Peace Officers, to exert 
them selves to the utmost for the Security of the 



298 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Kings Subjects the preservation of Peace & good 
Order, and for preventing all Offences against the 
Laws. 

12. That this Report was accordingly agreed to, 
whereupon the Governor demanded of the Council, 
whether they would not give him any Advice upon 
the Disorders then prevailing in the Town of 
Boston, and it was answered in general, That the 
Advice already given was intended for that purpose. 

13. That on, or about the 26^^ of November the 
Ship Dartmouth Capt° Hall, arrived at Boston, 
having on board a Cargo of Tea consigned by the 
East India Company to their Agents there; in 
consequence of which Notifications were posted 
up, desiring the Inhabitants of the Town and 
Country to Assemble on the 29^^ — 

14. That on the 29*:'' the Inhabitants of the said 
Town & Country in number about five Thousand 
were accordingly Assembled; whereupon the Gov- 
ernor, (the Council having decUned advising to any 
Measure respecting that unlawful Assembly in par- 
ticular) Ordered the Sheriff to repair to the said 
Meeting with a Proclamation, Warning, Exhort- 
ing, and Requiring them forthwith to disperse, and 
to cease all further unlawful Proceedings. 

15 That the Sheriff having been permitted to read 
this Proclamation, a Question was moved and put, 
Whether the Assembly should be dispersed in 
Consequence thereof ; and it was unanimously 
Resolved that they should not. 

16 That Jonathan Williams Esq- was chosen 
Moderator at this Meeting, and that the said 



APPENDIX IV 299 

Meeting came to the following Resolutions ; amongst 
others Viz* That they were absolutely determined 
that the Tea arrived in Capt° Hall, should be 
returned to the place from whence it came at all 
Events, in the same Ship. — That no Duty should 
be paid upon it, and that the Owner of the Ship 
be directed not to Enter the Tea at his Peril. 
That the Master of the Ship be informed, that he 
is not at his peril to suffer any of the Tea to be 
Landed. That a Military Watch should be Ap- 
pointed for the Security of the Ship and Cargo, of 
which watch M' Proctor was appointed Captain, 
and a List made of the names of the Persons who 
offered themselves as Volunteers for that purpose. 

That the Conduct of the Governor in requiring 
the Justices of the Peace to meet, in order to sup- 
press any Riot was a reflection on that Assembly 
and solely calculated to serve the Views of Adminis- 
tration, 

That on Tuesday the 30 of November the Li- 
habitants were again Assembled, when a Letter 
from the Agents was read, declaring their Willing- 
ness to give satisfaction to the Town but as that 
could only be effected by sending back the Tea, 
they declared that it was not in their power so to 
do but that they were willing to Store the Tea 
until they could write to their Constituents and 
receive further Orders. 

That upon reading this Letter it was moved 
whether if any of the Agents could be prevailed 
upon to come to the Meeting their persons might 
be safe until their Return to the place from whence 



300 BARRINGTON-BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

they should come ? — which question having been 
put it was carried in the Affirmative unanimously 
and that two Hours should be allowed them, 
whereupon the Meeting adjourned to the Afternoon. 
17- That upon their Meeting in the Afternoon Re- 
port was made that the Agents thinking that noth- 
ing would be satisfactory, short of returning the 
Tea, which was out of their power, they thought 
it best not to appear, which Report having been 
voted to be in no degree satisfactory, an Order was 
made that the Owner & Master of the Ship Dart- 
mouth should attend & it was again unanimously 
resolved that it should be required of them, that 
the Tea should be returned to England in the 
Bottom in which it came, and Capt : Hall was 
forbid to Assist in Unloading the Tea at his peril, 
and ordered that if he continued Master of the 
Vessel, he should carry the same back to London. 
That after taking Measures for a Continuance 
of the Mihtary Watch resolved to be Established 
on the preceding day, & directing that if they were 
insulted they should give alarm to the Inhabitants 
by ringing or tollong the Bells as the case should 
happen, it was resolved that if any person or per- 
sons shall here after Import Tea from Great Britain 
or if any Master or Masters of any Vessel or 
Vessels in Great Britain shall take the same on 
board to be Imported to this place until the un- 
righteous Act of Parliament laying a Duty upon it 
should be repealed, he or they should be deemed 
by this Body an Enemy to his Country and they 
would prevent the Landing and Sale of the same, 



APPENDIX IV 

and the payment of the Duty thereon and would 
effect the Return thereof to the place from whence 
they should come. 

That it was further resolved at this Meeting 19. 
that the foregoing Vote should be printed and sent 
to England, and all the Sea ports of the Province. 

That M' Sam': Adams, the Hon^ John Han- 
cock Esq'-?, Wills Philips Esq'-? John Rowe Esq, 
Jonathan Wilhams Esq- be a Committee to trans- 
mit fair Copies of the whole proceedings of the 
Meeting to New York and Philadelphia. 

That it is the Determination of the Body to 
carry their Votes and Resolutions into Execution 
at the risk of their Lives and Fortunes. 

That the Persons who principally proposed the 
questions on which the above Resolutions and pro- 
ceedings were founded, were, M' Adam's, M' 
Molineux, Doctor Young & Doctor Warren, & that 
they used many Arguments to induce the People 
to concur in these Resolutions. 

That after the Dissolution of this unlawful 20. 
Assembly the Persons called the Committee of Cor- 
respondence; met from time to time called in the 
Committee's of other Towns to join with them, 
kept up a Military Watch on Guard, to prevent 
the Landing of the Tea, who were Armed with 
Muskets and Bayonets, and every half hour during 
the night, regularly passed the Word — all is well, 
like Centinels in a Garrison. 

That M' Hancock the Gov^ Capt° of his Cadet 21. 
Company was one of the Guard on Board the Ships. 

That the said Committee appeared to be the 22. 



301 



302 BARRINGTON -BERNARD CORRESPONDENCE 

Executioners of the Resolves & Orders passed at 
the aforesaid Assembly. 

23. That this Committee repeatedly sent for the 
Owner of the Ship Dartmouth requiring him to 
comply with the request of the Town and send his 
Ship with the Tea back to England — In excuse 
for his Refusal he said that he could not obtain a 
Clearance from the Custom House, whereupon 
Notifications were again posted upon the 14'^ of 
Decem'' for another Meeting of the Inhabitants 
which was accordingly held in the Afternoon. 

24. That at this Meeting it was determined that the 
Owner of the Ship Dartmouth should demand at 
the Custom House a Clearance of the Teas for 
England, which was accordingly done in the pres- 
ence of twelve Persons appointed to see it done. 

25. That upon the Refusal of the Custom House to 
grant such Clearance the Meeting was adjourned 
to the next day, in order to consider what was to 
be done, when the said Owner was required to 
demand a Permit from the Naval Ofiicer to pass 
the Castle, which being also refused, he was ordered 
to apply to the Governor in person for such Permit ; 
which being also refused he returned and made 
his Report to the Meeting; whereupon numbers 
of the people cried out a Mob, a Mob, & left the 
House, and immediately a body of Men disguised 
like Indians, & encouraged by M'' John Hancock, 
Sam' Adams and others repaired to the Wharf, where 
three Vessels having Tea on board, lay aground, 
and took possession of the said Vessels, and in two 
hours the whole of the Tea was consumed. 



INDEX 



American Board of Commissioners 

of Customs. See Customs. 
American colonial governments to 

be reformed, 43-45, 76, 78, 93- 

102. 
American taxation, inequitable, 94- 

96. 
Amherst, General Jeffrey, 10, 176; 

captures Montreal, 21 ; resigns 

governorship of Virginia, 164, 

166. 

Barrington, Admiral Samuel, 20. 
Barrington, Major-General John, 7, 

17- 

Barrington, Shute, Bishop of Dur- 
ham, 17, 39. 

Barrington, William Wildman, lord, 
sketch of his career, viii, ix ; 
his political principles, ix; his 
ideas on the conduct of the 
American War, x-xv ; Secretary 
at War, 86 ; opposes Bernard's 
return, 108 ; on change in admin- 
istration, log, 119; on sending 
troops to Boston, 119; on poli- 
tics, 120; as to Bernard's re- 
moval to some other government, 
124, 129, 151, 154, 163, 175, 183; 
as to increase in Bernard's salary, 
127 ; on American representation, 
140; as to Bernard's baronetcy, 
154; advises Bernard to stay at 
Boston, 164; on the American 



Mutiny Act, 185, 186; on Ber- 
nard's baronetcy, 186; on pub- 
lication of Bernard's letters, 202. 

Barrons, Mr., collector at Boston, 
and Governor Bernard, 30 and fol. 

Bernard, Sir Francis, his "Papers," 
vii ; sketch of, xvi-xxi ; governor 
of New Jersey, 1-6 ; appointed 
governor of Massachusetts Bay, 
7 ; his grant of Mt. Desert, 50, 
56, 66, 69, 72, 81-85, 221; his 
desire to return to England, 106- 
108, 112-114, 121; given leave 
of absence, 116; wishes an in- 
crease in salary, 126, 143, 177, 
178 ; on American political ideas, 
131-139; desires some other gov- 
ernment, 141, 162, 199; applies 
for a recall, 156; as to Virginia, 
173; disappointed in offer, 163, 
177; advised to stay at Boston, 
164; increasing difficulties, 168; 
estimates profits of Virginia, 173 ; 
offered a baronetcy, 154, 175; 
ordered to remain at Boston, 180 ; 
his estimates of other govern- 
ments, 181 ; baronetcy conferred 
on, 186, 188 ; reUeved of fees of 
baronetcy, 186-189; oi^ his pro- 
posed return, 189 ; leave of 
absence, 192 n. ; defends himself 
against charges of British officers, 
194-196 ; on political conditions 
at Boston in 1769, 197, 198; his 



303 



304 



INDEX 



official letters published, 200 ; re- 
turns to England, 203, 204, 208 ; 
his arrival, 208-210; his pension, 
xvi-xix, 211-219; commissioner 
of customs and excise in Ireland, 
211-213; at Bath, 212; his valu- 
ation of his services, 218; corre- 
spondence with Gage at the time 
of the Stamp Act, 227-240; on 
reformation of government of 
Massachusetts, 253-258 ; Ber- 
nard's petition for an increase in 
salary, 259-263; his (?) "State 
of the Disorders" and "Narra- 
tive," 264-302. 

Bernard, Francis, son of Governor 
Bernard, 49 ; joint appointment 
with Mr. Pemberton to the Naval 
Office at Boston, 25 and fol. ; 
arrives from England, 65 ; returns 
to England, 73, 79. 

Bernard, Shute, son of Governor 
Francis, death of, 152. 

Bernard, Thomas, second son of 
Governor Bernard, applies for 
pensions on account of his father's 
services, xvii ; given a sinecure 
office, 211. 

Bernard, WUliam, son of Governor 
Bernard, given an ensigncy in the 
army, 214. 

Bibliographical note, xxi n. 

Boston, 12; Bernard's reception 
at, 15; opposition to acts of 
trade, 147 ; opposition to Eng- 
land, 158 ; convention at, in 1769, 
184; Bernard on political condi- 
tions at, in 1769, 197-199, 254; 
narrative of the tea party, 294- 
302. 



Botetourt, Lord, 164, 175. 
British troops, on sending to Boston 

at time of Stamp Act riot, 119; 

despatched to Boston after the 

"Liberty" riots, 165, 167-171 ; 

arrival at Boston, 176, 179. 
Burch, William, Commissioner of 

the Customs, attack on, 148. 

Carver, Jonathan, 193. 

Chatham, Earl of. See Pitt, 
William. 

Civil List. See Colonial Civil List. 

Colonial Civil List, plans for a, 177, 
178. 

Colville, Admiral Lord, 60. 

Commissioners of the Customs, 
American. See Customs. 

Convention at Boston in 1769, 184, 

Conway, General H. S., Secretary 
of State, 91, 109; on the Stamp 
Act troubles, 240-244. 

Customs, American Board of Com- 
missioners of the, opposition to, 
149; at Boston, 157, 160. 

Egremont, Lord, Secretary of 
State, 39, 43, 54, 56. 

Gage, Major-General Thomas, 103, 
1 10, 167-169; his correspond- 
ence with Bernard as to Stamp 
Act, 227-240. 

Governor, Provincial, his power 
over expenditures, 223 ; his rela- 
tions with the British officers in 
America, 225-227. 

Halifax, Lord, 25, 27, 30, 80, 86, 

87. 



INDEX 



30s 



Hallo well, Mr., controller of the 
customs at Boston, 160. 

Havanna, conquest of, 61. 

Hillsborough, Lord, 112, 120; ap- 
pointed Colonial Secretary, 130; 
sends Bernard a letter of recall, 
192 ; suspends his leave of ab- 
sence, 180 ; and Bernard's baron- 
etcy, 188, 189. 

Hutchinson, Thomas, on Bernard's 
pensions, xvii; suggested for 
position of governor of Massa- 
chusetts, 174. 

Ireland, government of, as a model, 

98-100. 

Jackson, Richard, 57, 59, 69, 72, 
80, 83, 85, 104, 108, 116. 

Knox, William, xvii. 

LoRiNG, Commodore, and the 
Naval Office, 90. 

Maryland, title of the Lieutenant- 
Governor of, 173. 

Massachusetts, Francis Bernard ap- 
pointed governor of, 7 ; his com- 
ing, 15; Stamp Act troubles in, 
93, 229; increasing opposition to 
England, 158 and fol. ; Bernard's 
retirement from the government 
of, 200-208; statement as to 
governor's salaries since 1730, 
256-263; "State of Disorders 
in," 1766-1770, 264-293; "Nar- 
rative" of tea party, 294-302. 

Mt. Desert, grant of to Bernard, 
50, 56, 66 ; opposed in England, 



69, 72, 81, 85, 221 ; plans for 
settlement of, 70, 82-84. 
Mutiny Act, American, 185, 186. 

Naval Office, at Boston, joint ap- 
pointment of Bernard's son and 
Mr. Pemberton, 25 and fol. 

Newcastle, Duke of, 17, 27, 91. 

Newfoundland, the French at, 57 ; 
British expedition to, 60-64. 

New Jersey, Bernard, governor of, 
1-13 ; Bernard as to the govern- 
ment of, 142; advantages of, 181. 

New York, Bernard as to govern- 
ment of, 142. 

Paris, Peace of, 62. 

Paxton, Charles, 32, 50, in. 

Pemberton, Mr., joint appointment 
with Francis Bernard to the 
Naval Office at Boston, 25 and fol. 

Pennsylvania, government of, 5. 

Pensions and places, Bernard's de- 
sire for, etc., xvi-xix, 4, 7, 11, 18, 
19, 23-25, 26, ii, 89, 114-116. 

Pitt, WiUiam, afterwards Earl of 
Chatham, 10, 22, 34-38, 40, 43, 
79, 109, 120, 128. 

Porter, Mrs., 14, 58, 59- 

Pownall, John, Secretary of the 
Lords of Trade, 7, 24, 30, 80, 108. 

Pownall, Thomas, Governor of 
Massachusetts, 7, 10, 186. 

Provincial Governor. See Gov- 



QUARTERING Act, l86, 195, 207. 

Representation, American, in Par- 
liament, 96-98. 
Romney, man-of-war, i6o. 



3o6 



INDEX 



Schuyler, Colonel Peter, i, 3. 

South Carolina, unhealthy cHmate 
of, 141, 181. 

Sparks, Jared, his collected manu- 
scripts, vii. 

Sparks, William, presents manu- 
scripts to Harvard University, 
vii. 

Stamp Act, Bernard's correspond- 
ence with Gage, 227-240. 

Stevens, John, 3. 

Temple, John, Surveyor-General, 
46 ; hostiUty to Bernard, 88, 92, 
112, 190. 



Townshend, Charles, 68, 71. 
Treasury Board, Minute of the, as 

to provincial governor's power, 

223. 
Troops, British. See British troops. 

Virginia, Bernard's views as to the 
government of, 142 ; offered to 
Bernard, 154 ; given to Botetourt, 
164 ; estimated profits of govern- 
ment, 173. 

Writs of Assistance, bill to modify, 
vetoed by Bernard, 51. 



H^ 100 89 



>-4 



JAN 3 1913 



















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